An Open Door Policy With Children Is Not Always the Best Policy

I've always had an open door policy with my sons. I've made it clear that they can ask me anything, tell me anything, and I will give them a straight forward answer. This includes questions on sex, drugs, homosexuality, etc. No topic is off limits. It's important to me that my children know that they can count on me.

So, when my son Kyle, who was nine at the time, said he needed to ask me something, I thought I was prepared. He had been really wanting to ride his bike to school, alone, and I assumed that the question would be about bike riding. I was wrong.

Thankfully, I took Kyle away from my younger son and asked him what he needed. He looked at me, with large innocent eyes and asked, "Mom, what's a p***y?"

The word echoed in my mind. P***y.....p***y....p***y...... OH MY GOD! Good God in heaven, my nine year old child did NOT just say the "p" word! I saw my hand raise into the air, It happened as a reflex, and I slapped him, lightly, in the mouth. So much for my open door policy.

I immediately apologized for the slap, several times, and tried to regain my composure. "Where did you hear that word?" I asked him, my face red with embarrassment.

"My friend said it, "he said, his eyes to the floor. "I just didn't know what it was."

So, feeling like a heel, I explained to him that it was slang and not a nice word to use, etc. (This should have been my initial reaction, but I guess shock had grabbed a hold of me) I told him what it was slang for, and why the word was offensive. He looked at me confused. "Then why did my friend call me that when I wouldn't jump off the tree?"

Sigh - Sometimes, you're just not prepared for the things your children will say. Or ask. Or do. And even the best intentioned parent will make a mistake, a bad judgment call, or slap a child in the face on accident. It's all part of the glorious job of parenting. Expect the unexpected.