Thursday, December 1, 2011
Melanie Hines- Organic Blog
So it all started in common girl talk at the nurse station. One of my coworkers found it funny that I am flustered by certain words women use. Somehow, the question came up of what I refer to Womens private parts as when speaking to my three year old daughter. Immediately all women in our huddle that has a little girl began to shout out pet names that they use with their children. Our nurse practitioner shared that she tells her daughter its called a "flower", another lady tells us its called your"poo poo". We all laughed, but when I shared with them that I refer to my daughters privates as her "pocketbook" one of the nurses stated " NOOOOO thats not a good metaphor!!!! We put things in our pocketbooks" I was immediately mortified at the point she made. At that point, one of our coworkers who, is expecting her third girl in March chimed in a told us all "its called a VAGINA sweeties its the textbook terminology, and they have to use it someday so start now". Everything in me knows she was absolutely right, but the word vagina coming from a toddler just seems like more than a mouthful. in fact almost vulgar...... whats a mom to do???? Whats the word?
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I totally feel your debate I personally dont have any children yet but to hear a child say the word vagina is a bit much. I mean I believe that the little metaphors we use when talking to children not only girls is to protect their childhood and innocence. I know its only a word but just how we associate certain colors, toys, and names with gender the same goes for certain vocabulary some words are only associated with adulthood.
ReplyDeleteThe scene described in Melanaie's blog is one i can easily imagine. The story is told with just enough humor as it asks us to look at some fundamental choices parents must make.
ReplyDeleteWhile i think you should come up with your own terminology to get them aquaninted and comfortable, I must agree with the pocketbook metaphor not a good thing to associate with money.