Growing up… not so OK!

I’ve been through this puberty stuff with two other kids but this time it’s different. Bones asks A LOT of questions…quite matter of factly…with not a bit of discomfort in her voice whatsoever.

“What’s a dyke?” she asked out of the blue the other morning as we were curled up chit chatting about a variety of things.

Holy Crap! “Um…well…how do I explain it to you” I answered buying myself a bit of time while the look on my face gave away my obvious discomfort.

“Mom, if you don’t know I can just ask at school.”

God No! “No….no sweetie. I told you if you had any questions at any time to just ask. Give me a second so I can think about the best answer.” Panic…crap….really?

Mere seconds later…

“Well honey…a dyke is a slang word…a not very nice word…for a lesbian.”

There…I said it. Not so bad.

“WHAT?”

“A lesbian. Remember we went over these terms. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Heterosexual…they were all on your test the other day. Well…a dyke is a mean word for lesbian that no one should ever use.”

The look on her face…pure confusion…possibly the same look I had on my face when I listened to her describe Transgender to me a few days before.

“Mom…we’re studying Acadians! It has to do with water or something.”

“Ohhhh….THAT kind of dyke. Yeah…ask at school. I have no idea.”

Today…I’m joining my daughter and her class on their field trip to Grand Pre to study the Expulsion of the Acadians. We’re touring the park, having lunch in a big field…and building a dyke. It’s probably best if I don’t answer any of their questions.