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Monday, January 16, 2006Parenting 101: Things You Don't Think About Having to ExplainLike the meaning of the word "eunuch." Not that it's a big deal, really. I mean, I don't think there's a sizable chance that one of my children is actually going to run into a eunuch at Walgreen or in the park any time soon. It's just one of those strange things that you never practice explaining ahead of time. Jonathan and I were watching the bonus features on my Pirates of the Caribbean DVD. There's an extended, improvised scene with Jack Sparrow and the pirates in the cave, and Jack makes the comment that all French are "eunuchs," while making a cutting motion in the air with his fingers. I'm sure the moment would have been completely lost on Jonathan, but I felt compelled to enlighten him. Jack Sparrow actually uses the word "eunuch" twice in the movie itself, and, well, I guess I don't want my children to be culturally illiterate. So I said to Jonathan, "Do you know what a eunuch is?" "No." I'm going to spare you my stumbling explanation. Suffice it to say that, when I got to the "snip snip" part, Jonathan's expression became rather incredulous. "You know, they used to do it to little boys, too, if they sang really well when they were sopranos," I continued (obviously I was much more comfortable talking about this in the context of music history). "Because, you know, that's where all your 'man hormones' are, and if you cut them off, your voice won't ever get deeper." "Oh." I'm sure my son is infinitely relieved that he's not a prize-winning boy soprano. The next time something floats right over Jonathan's head, I'm going to let it go. I really don't think he'd be any worse off right now if he didn't know what a eunuch was. Come to think of it, I'd better hide all the scissors. Because I can just hear it now: "Hey Spencer, you wanna be a eunuch?" Labels: parenting |
About Me
I am: Mother to five stunningly individualistic children... Writer of young adult fantasy... Passionate advocate for Women At Home... Madly in love with my husband... In need of Organic Gourmet Chocolate on a regular basis. I've got a Paypal account if you'd like to contribute to the cause....
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9of my readers are feeling chatty:
Oh Jill, you crack me up...I wish sometimes I could be fly on the wall at your house - your family sounds so much fun ~ really I enjoy reading your blog, because it always lifts my spirit!
Like I said it before, it is not easy to raise boys. I especially had a hard time, because I only have one sister I grew up with.
"Spencer, you're a great singer, I'm going to help you get in the Vienna Boys Choir!" Jonathan said, sporting a devious look.
"Really?" Spencer said. "You really are a great brother."
Jonathan chuckled a deep, throaty laugh. A laugh that sent chills down his mother's spine.
"Come here Spencer," Jonathan said.
"What are the scissors for? Am I getting a haircut too?"
A story by Eph, the fly on the Boehme Hoehme Wall.
Hey, and you say *I'm* scary? ;-)
At least I've been smart enough to wait for them to ask about that comment, carefully preparing and perfecting my response each time we watch the movie.
I have to tread cautiously - I sew, we have Ginghers, here!
HEHHEH why on earth woman would you open up a can of worms that was not ready to open ???
I'm with Kerrie I always wait tell the ask, now mine ask the first time the hear a word they don't know LOL
Does he go around the house singing in his deepest baritone now? I would! Ken
LOL! Somethings are better unexplained! LOL
LOL we have had a eunuch talk here as well, there is a commercial on TV and the guys are applying to get into a harem thinking it is a great job. The huge burly guy at the gates says fine you have the job now lift up your robes and brings out two big rocks. I had to explain what the joke was.
Dearest,
I already hid the scissors and instructed Spencer to run as fast as he can if he ever sees Jonathan with a pair in his hand!
My Gosh, Jillian, you've outdone yourself and leapt right over the wall of parental fears. So funny. He'll prob. never forget the explanation, that's for sure. HOpe you're doing well.
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