2005-02-03 - 8:45 a.m.
Yesterday I went to my 4th grade son's school so I could watch "The Film," otherwise known as the "Human Development" film that all of the 4th grade boys were going to see. I'd gone to the initial parent meeting a few weeks ago and then asked my son if he would be embarrassed if I came to his school when he was to see said film. (Of course, my dear husband and father of my children just "happened" to be out of town that day)I just thought that if my son had any questions, it would be good for me to be able to refer back to the film that we'd both just seen.
So there I was with 30 or so 9 and 10 year old boys, and just two other dads. Not a single mom to be found anywhere. (they were all probably having a spa day and laughing at the fact that there might actually be a mom who dared show her face at "The Film")
Let's begin with the fact that boys can giggle....even more than girls do! And giggle like little girls they did when the nurse presenting the film made everyone say "penis" without laughing! Oh, sure, like that could ever happen. Nurse Barbara explained that she used "medical" terms and not street terms. So while the boys may have lots of other names for "penis", penis was the word we were going to use. And let's not forget to mention scrotum, testicles, urethra, sperm, rectum and a variety of other words, including my favorite of "nocturnal emissions." I can pretty much guarantee I've not said very many of these words in front of my son!
The film discussed how their bodies were going to change...ie: grow hair "down there," develop sweat glands and stink (even more than they already do) and how their voices will deepen and their shoulders will broaden. At the end of "The Film" each boy got a sample of deodorant. At least they didn't pass out condoms!
My son claimed he didn't have any questions when we got home last night and talked about "The Film." He did, however, want to take his deodorant back to school today..."just in case I need it," he said.
Ooh, I can't wait until next year when they actually explain how the sperm fertilizes the egg. I promise you that I'll make damn sure my husband is in town for that one!
