My daughter approached me yesterday in distress. One of her teeth was broken. It wiggled when she chewed. She was afraid it would fall out and her smile would be ugly and everyone would laugh at her.
I panicked. I know that modern parents are supposed to discuss maturation with their children sometime before puberty to assure them that their bodies will change and this is healthy and normal, etc., but it hadn't occurred to me to explain the natural body changes that occur at age seven with her before they happened. I gave her an emergency maturation seminar about baby teeth and how they fall out and you get new ones and this is healthy and normal, etc. Also, I bet that a lot of kids in her class had already lost teeth or would really soon, so she would not look weird, just like a typical seven-year-old.
She walked away dejected. I fretted about all the other milestones in life that I am likely to inadequately prepare her for.
About an hour or two later, my husband came home. Squealing with delight and bouncing off the walls, my daughter showed off her very first loose baby tooth.
I was confused, but relieved.
Hi I just read a comment you made in April on the Exponent in which you included a quote by G.B.H. I'm so glad you posted it because it really inspired me. I was actually still in YW when he gave the talk but I had forgotten it. I hope you keep participating on the feminist blogs. It is so nice to read some pick me up girl power comments.
ReplyDeleteHa ha - I didn't realize you were a regular blogger for the Exponent. Even better:)
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