Birds and Bees
July 15, 2007 at 11:44 AM
by Ashleigh
Sebastian waiting to catch a fishA little introspective today. Probably because I got to sleep in.
Man, the dreams I've been having - my alter-ego is very busy while the rest of me is asleep!
Yesterday I looked at Joe's shoes in the shoe-jumble by the door and was struck by how little they are. My baby. Such tiny shoes. Everyone else has huge shoes in comparison.
Conversely at this point Seb is the one who wants to be my baby. He wants to cuddle and kiss and be with me all the time.
He's so thin his shoulders feel like a little bird when I hold him on my lap. Seven years old is a very bony stage of life. He's all elbows and knees, shoulder blades and ribs. One would think he never ate.
I can remember being seven.
It was horrible.
The other day Joe was asking about how he was born, and I told him that he was born via a c-section so my tummy was cut open and he was pulled out.
Then he asked how Sebastian was born, and Sebastian said 'the normal way' in this very gruff and embarrassed voice. Then when Joe questioned him further he said 'I don't want to talk about it' and stomped off to his room.
Poor Joe still doesn't know what the 'normal way' is!
Then on Friday Seb was asking me why we weren't having any more babies. This is after I told him that our friend Barbara is expecting twins.
So he said 'Mam, did you take a special pill so you can't have any more babies?' so I said 'no, I had an operation'.
He looked perplexed and said 'but all girls take that pill so they don't have any babies'.
I had to explain that sometimes when we are older we might want a more permanent solution to contraception.
He found it difficult to understand why we wouldn't want more babies. Kind of a personal affront. As in 'but babies are so awesome. We are so awesome. Why don't you want more of us?'
Poor baby. Seven is a difficult age.
My boys are growing up, and while they do, my role is changing.
I'm not sure I like it.
Comments
I mailed you an amazing article which details this kind of development really well...
I find Q has a love hate relationship with me now at 7.
I have also been questioned about whether I want 'Daddy to put a baby-seed' in me again
You could always tell him that it's because he IS so awesome that you don't want any more kids. Nicky and Max have informed me that they don't want the new babies to cry much. I can only laugh.
It is very strange seeing our children grow and change ... and slowly grow away from us. It never fails to bring a big lump to my throat.
July 15, 2007 5:47 PM