Last weekend the men in my life were away for our church’s annual “Burly Man Retreat” (no running water…outhouse…the whole bit) , and I thought it would be the perfect time to have some “girly time” with the little lady in my life. Kayla and I had been planning this for weeks….painting toenails, cuddling on the couch, and watching a girl movie for once – none of this Rocky/Lord of the Rings/Star Wars stuff! We watched Samantha…and American Girl doll movie. (Highly recommended, by the way!)

In thinking and anticipating our time together, I also thought it would be a good time to have The Talk with Kayla. You know, the “where do babies come from/puberty/you’re going to be a woman someday soon” talk. Every “expert” I’ve ever read or talked to has said that kids should know “the whole story” by age 8. Yikes! At that age, they seem so innocent and unaware, but the thinking is that they are bound to hear it somewhere – from some already-enlightened-friend or acquaintance; so give them the information and if or when that happens, they can just yawn and say, “Yeah, my mom and dad already told me all about that.”

So….I got out the book we have used in explaining this to our boys: Before I Was Born by Carol Nystrom, and I also bought a book called The Care & Keeping of You by Valorie Schaefer which is just for girls and all about how to take good care of your body especially when experiencing the changes puberty brings that are unique to young ladies. I asked Kayla if we could read a couple of special books before we did our nails and watched movies.
Well…she seemed to be really interested in the first one, especially the beginning about growing up, meeting a special someone, and having a wedding. But when we got to the part about what happens after the wedding, her eyes just opened wider and wider and wider – until they were big as saucers. I asked her if she had ever heard anything about this and she said no. She was shocked, to say the least, and I was one happy Mama! Happy that I was the first to talk with her about it…happy to share that moment with her no matter how awkward. Her only question when I finished reading:
“Mom, do you and Dad do that?”
Ugh.

We then went on to read parts of the second book, and she was embarrassed at times, trying to turn the pages quickly, but she soaked up the information with great intrigue. She slept with me that night but got in bed before me, reading by lamplight. She just pored over that book before bed, and it was confirmation to me that she is curious and giving her safe information in the context of our relationship was a good thing to do right now. I’m praying now that the Lord uses that evening to give her much confidence and freedom regarding those topics, and that it will only bring about more discussion, and foster openness.

The following day, we spent taking a visiting missionary couple and other friends on a tour of Boston and then to the airport there. As we were driving home, we began talking about needing to go out and check on our chickens, give them some fresh food and water, and gather any eggs. Kayla began having a little conversation with herself in the back seat about chickens: “I think baby chicks are so cute….but we won’t have baby chicks unless we buy some more…..because we don’t have a rooster….because if you want to hatch baby chicks there has to be a rooster around.” Thoughtful pause, then…. “Mom, why is that?”

“Ummm, Welllll….remember that book we read last night about how God makes babies through mommies and daddies? Well, hens and roosters have to do the same thing. Not because they really love each other, but so that there will always be more chicks. Actually, honey, all animals do that to have babies.”

I looked into the rear view mirror to see her reaction….
Eyes big as saucers and then the question:
“How?????”
(I went on to explain.)

How she missed all of this living in this sexually saturated world is beyond me. (And how she missed it after watching all of the Planet Earth DVDs is beyond me!) But, I am so thankful that she didn’t have to learn it from Judy Blume and “enlightened” friends , like I did!