Age 7 and Sex Education

Yesterday Gavin turned 7. Tonight he asked me to read to him. I enjoy story time at night, but tonight was extra special. He pulled out his chosen book. The Usbourne Illustrated Elementary Science Dictionary. I taught him several days ago what a table of contents was. He scanned the contents and chose page 36, Reproduction. "Reproduction" I said, "That's what you want?" Yes Mom. (Me thinks, he's read this page on his own and has prepared this section and further questioning just for this night. Unfortunately, I was right.)

Proceed to page 36. Reluctantly.

Oh Lord. As I glance at the page, I see if I can scan and sum it up without having to read certain words to him. Sum, sum, sum, mumble, sum.... "Mom, did you read that whole page?"

"Yes I did." (Yep he's definitely read it already on his own. God help me. I'm grateful he's smart, but he's 7.)

"So, mom how did you push me out? Where did I come out of?"

Really, why couldn't Shannon be the one to read tonight? "If I tell you, you have to promise not to tell your friends or talk about this to others. Some parents would like to tell their kids this information and not have you talk about this with your friends, understand?" Ok.  Deep breath (for me). "I pushed you out of my vagina, but some babies have to be cut out of their mommy's bellies." (Seven years and one day ago. Happy Birthday!)

His face screws up, his forehead wrinkles, and he says, "Gross!" Basically, yeah, it's really gross. Now can I crawl in a hole?

My reply, "Pretty much, do you have any other questions? No. Ok. Time for bed."  I'm going to go give your dad a good laugh now.

Note to self: Pre-screen all books, even if they are age appropriate, to prepare yourself ahead of time for awkward questioning. Thankful he didn't ask me about the bottom right hand of the page. I suppose I should create a plan for that explanation. Or is there a yoga pose in which I bury my head like an ostrich?