Ugh, my boys are growing up. This is horrifying. For many years, I have worked so hard to shield them from all of the adult yuck...you know...the bad words, the negative attitudes, etc. Now, however, they hear it for them themselves and know what is wrong and are starting to question it. Thus the discussion tonight. While trying to gulp down my lasagna (that they claim is really "sick") they were filling me full of the ideas they have about taboo, or "bad", words.
"Mom, who SAYS those are bad words? I mean they are just words." and "Why does so-and-so or adults say that stuff then?"
This launched into a lengthy discussion about the meaning of the words, not just the phonemes and syllables put together. "So, would you walk by your teacher and say, poop!" "NO!" they said. "Well, then of course, you wouldn't want to say the other word either, right?" They laughed hysterically, and I realized that the conversation was going nowhere, no matter the rationale I proposed.
In the meantime, music is also becoming an issue. As preschoolers, I spent much effort trying to teach them what is truly good music. But lately, they are drawn to what we used to call "junk music."
Sam: "I just love the beat of that. I don't really listen to the words, I just like to feel it."
Yeah, of course, don't we all? He's been trying to convince me to download some Black Eyed Peas, or you know, some AC/DC or Def Leppard? I truly can't believe that I am facing this...I used to picture my boys at age 10, playing the piano, enjoying Chaucer and chess, with Mozart wafting through my house. Now, we are struggling to even think about picking up a book, yearning for a funky beat, and even starting to talk about GIRLS...and chess? No patience for that. UGH!? Did I also mention that they both need to wear deodorant, because they truly reek on a sweaty day? It is just horrifying...my little boys are disappearing before my eyes and turning into pseudo-adolescents. I can't take it.
All the while, I'm wondering what will become of me. Just now, Sam brought me his IPod and instructed me to download some cool tunes before camp...."You know mom, just pick out some cool things that Dad likes." Yikes...I'm in trouble!
