Land o'Lessa

You know, I’m working really really REALLY HARD to not realize that he’s graduating in May, that he turns 18 in March, that he’s Practically A Grown Up and my parental control will not be near as controlling as I’d like it to be for my little boy forever and ever amen. I’m TRYING to put blinders on – but OH NO. He has to go and do things like… oh, brandish his new Class Ring all over the place.

Harumph.

It came in the mail last week, and the boy couldn’t be more pleased! Even so, I love how the photo of his hand describes so many things about my son. For example:

1. His hands are HUGE. They swallow mine, and I have big hands for a girl!

2. His hand is DIRTY. Dude. Could you BE more of a boy? Wash your hands!

3. He’s cracked his knuckle there on something, and in typical boy fashion, keeps picking at it. Srsly Boy? Gross. And also? WASH YOUR HANDS.

4. Look at all the nicks and scars – this boy is CLUMSY. Usually with sharp and pointy things.

5. Those hands are not just large, but strong, just as strong as the heart and mind of my PRESHUSH BEBE BOY. They are hands that he uses to help up a friend in need, hands he uses to help make something work that was broken, hands he uses to defend his friends, hands he uses to protect his sisters, hands he uses to console his poor mama who’s not handling this growing up thing very well.

Sigh. This growing up stuff sucks.

One of my favorite shirts – and my kids favorite too – depicts a bird and a bee whispering, with the caption above their head saying “We do WHAT?!” It never fails to make my kids giggle, and I get a lot of snickering looks from folks when I parade it around town.

Because, you know, I’m really 12. Or something.

Anyway – I’m sure you’ve noticed that pretty little button there over to the side, the one about My First Period Kit – which you can now buy through that link right there. We featured the kit before, and while it gave Peppermist and myself a snarky giggling fit like you wouldn’t believe, I’m pretty sure I’m gonna get one for the Pup and possibly my Niece too. Now I’ve never been shy about laying it all out there for my kids – but Dr. de Freitas helps those who are a little less open than us, talking in a frank and open way that makes it easy to open those discussions with your girls.

And boys – especially with her new guide for parents – The Birds and the Bees with Ease. In fact, HealthyChats.com is offering a free 40-page Ebook to parents! Dr Chrystal de Freitas based the book on her mother-daughter seminars. She (and I!) feel that by the time those hormones kick in for puberty, the kids should already have the basics down, but a lot of moms at her seminars have never quite brought it up.

Here’s the official Blurb!

“The Birds and the Bees with Ease!” covers which details are appropriate to relate to a child at what age, starting at 5 years old, moving up to ages 6 through 9. The information is also useful for parents who have not yet discussed these topics with children at the cusp of puberty. “When we start the conversation at the appropriate age of 5 or 6, we can leave out all the details of dangers and pleasures associated with sex,” explains Dr. de Freitas. “This is not too early because if we parents don’t initiate this conversation, others – like the kid next door or the media – will do it for us. As our children grow, we can continue to add on more information before they get to their health education class at school. Explaining to children how their amazing bodies work empowers them and keeps them safe. This knowledge is all part of the journey to healthy, responsible adulthood.”

The e-book’s clear-cut chapters tackle topics including: Where Do Babies Come From? and How Do they Get Out?; How are Babies Made?; Sexual Curiosity; Modesty; Touching/Exploring; Foul Language; HIV and AIDS; Puberty; and other vital discussion areas to enable parents to easily have healthy chats with their children.

So head over to Healthy Chats’ The Birds and the Bees with Ease page and download your copy of the Free E-book, today! Don’t forget to check out the other features of the site too – such as Dr. de Freitas’ blog, Q and As for Moms and Pre-Teen girls, and other information for parents and kids alike!

And, like I preach continuously around here – TALK TO YOUR KIDS!
…and provide condoms. Just in case.

It probably won’t surprise you, but I’m a fan of tattoos. You may not know that I’m also a fan of piercings, though I believe those are best in moderation. While I don’t have any extra piercings myself – just my ears, 3 in one, 2 in the other – that’s mostly due to my HUGE FEAR OF NEEDLES, rather than fear of public ridicule. Of course my huge fear of needles, and low pain tolerance, doesn’t explain my 4 tattoos. And plans for at least two more. Go figure. It’s just an added benefit that it makes my mom tsk and shake her head.

ANYWAY – it stands to reason, with my love of body modification, tattoos and piercings, that we’ve talked a lot about them around here. My husband had several tattoo’s as well, and they have always been a fascination for my kids. In fact, Peppermist, when all the other little girls wanted to be nurses and athletes, and moms, and business women – Peppermist wanted to be a Tattoo Artist. inorite? I was SO PROUD! Each of the kids have already picked out their first ink, have general ideas of Memorial tattoos they want for their dad, and give me pointers on what I should get next. We talk about how to pick out a good artist, what to look for, what questions to ask, and how that they need to be SURE that they know what they want, because it is permanent – laser removal is painful and doesn’t always work, so think it through.

So as a fan of the ink, imagine my delight when B – “my” girl by love not blood – sent me a text, telling me that she had a new tattoo she wanted to show off. It’s her second one – the first is her mom’s name and the date she died on her shoulder. When she showed me this one, I was all “AW! It says mom!” And then? Then she told me that this one? This one represents me.

ME!

I’m not ashamed to admit that I got a little verklempt when she told me that. And since it’s “Mom” on a shot glass, and I added that it would help remind her to STOP DOING STUPID SHIT LIKE DRINKING TOO MUCH. Cuz Mom? Is always watching. She laughed and said “EXACTLY!”

I love that kid like she was my own, even when I want to shake her for doing something stupid, and I’m so proud that she’s getting her GED, that she’s getting her act together, and that she’s doing well. And even when she’s not doing well – I’m proud that she has realized that I’m always here, and she can come to me for anything.

She’s a beautiful girl – and the ink? Only enhances that. Thank you, B. I’m honored to be represented in such a way! Now – finish up that GED!