Well, that was quite the hiatus! Two years and no blogging for La Panda. So much has happened since you last heard from me, and during that time I kept telling myself that I was going to participate in The Pagan Blog Project. We see how that turned out, eh? A few weeks ago I started feeling super-Pagan, and thought I'd get to writing on my blog again. "Aha! The New Year is a perfect time to start the Blog Project!" I thought. However, when I went to the page, I was saddened to see that it's time had come to an end, but luckily, after a quick Google search, I happened upon The Pagan Experience. This is looking like it might be a good fit for me, so here I am, giving 'er a try.
Before I make a TPE post, I'd just like to update the world about what's been going on en mi vida. Long story short: I moved to another state, hung out with my "friend" who'd lived next door to me when we were in high school, felt more than I've ever felt before, broke up with my boyfriend, and decided to spend the rest of my live-long life with Neighbor Boy. That said, I married the love of my life (I think I'll just go ahead and say it: "Twin Flame") two summers ago, and now we are the happy parents of a six-year old and a one-year old. I love my little family beyond measure!
As far as being Pagan is concerned, well...I've stayed Pagan and (somewhat) maintained this blog's Facebook page, but that's about it. Getting married and becoming a mother times two has resulted in me unintentionally straying from my path, as well as communing online with other Pagans, and I sorely miss everything I used to do. My blogging and YouTube videos came to a pretty abrupt halt, although the latter was less because of family and more for reasons related to the possible repercussions of my threatening my day job by showing my Pagan face in public.
Also, the members of my marriage are still getting used to being an "interfaith couple." I am finally, very slowwwwly working up my courage to be comfortable with my religion and anything that might entail--be it blogging, journaling, lighting candles, smudging, or anything else witchy--in front of my husband. Our differing beliefs are definitely a topic for a totally different day, but suffice it to say that while we are accepting of one another's religious choices, sometimes I think we both think the other party is a bit kooky. (I can live with that though--everybody's a little kooky! ;) )
Anyway, this is probably enough catching up for now. I just wanted to let you all know that this Pagan Mama is still here and that she's ready to start communicating with the outside world again.
)O(
P.L. the P.M.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Children, Anatomy, and Silly Things People Say
As mentioned previously, I am an advocate of teaching children the correct anatomical terms for body parts. It seems to shock people that my son says "penis" instead of "wee wee" or whatever other silly thing people say. He knows the words "vagina" and "breasts," the latter being much more appropriate from the mouth of a child than "boobies" or "tits" or...whatever other silly thing people say. (I read a FB comment posted by some person the other day about how she told her under-the-age-of-five daughter something about "our coochies." SERIOUSLY?!) The reason I taught him the correct terms was because I feel that, if they are going to be referred to or discussed by children, these words sound much more respectful.
I acknowledge the fact that it isn't exactly "orthodox" to have a 3-year-old boy who knows where a vagina is located, but it's better than him calling it...whatever other silly thing people say. We had a "surrogate cousin" born back in August, so that fueled several questions about the origins of babies. Little E and I have discussed this topic, and I have been very honest about it with him, but he is still missing particulars. He knows that he came from my "belly" and that the doctor "cut" me. I've not really decided how to say "I pushed you out through my vagina" without feeling awkward (and I am not the type to be shy or uncomfortable about these things, so I'm not sure what my problem is, exactly)...
After receiving many side-long glances from people who question my parenting because they would never in a million years be able to say those words aloud in normal conversation due to their own and pre-programmed uncomfortabilities with proper language (You can tell your son he has a d***, but you can't say penis?! COME ON!!!), I have decided that EFF IT. If I am going to raise a knowledgeable and respectful young man, my son will know the correct terminology for his body parts and the body parts of others.
Also, I was reading a post on child safety and talking to your children about strangers, not keeping secrets from parents, etc. As most of us know, the majority of the perpetrators of sexual abuse are people with whom the parent(s) trust their child(ren). Because abuse may not be immediately suspected in those type of situations, other red flags parents have to look for (especially in very young children) is how they refer to their body parts. I think the example was given that if your daughter knows she has a vagina, but all of a sudden starts calling it a "cupcake" or something (sorry, that kind of makes me want to throw up) then you can ask her where she has heard it called that. Although we all hope and pray that our children are never abused in such a way (or in any way), I feel that this is actually a rather excellent reason to use proper anatomical terminology.
The purpose for this post is two-fold, I suppose. I'm sharing my preference with you, but I would also like to know: What are your thoughts on teaching these words to young children? Which words would you prefer to hear coming from not only the mouths of your own children, but young children in general?
I acknowledge the fact that it isn't exactly "orthodox" to have a 3-year-old boy who knows where a vagina is located, but it's better than him calling it...whatever other silly thing people say. We had a "surrogate cousin" born back in August, so that fueled several questions about the origins of babies. Little E and I have discussed this topic, and I have been very honest about it with him, but he is still missing particulars. He knows that he came from my "belly" and that the doctor "cut" me. I've not really decided how to say "I pushed you out through my vagina" without feeling awkward (and I am not the type to be shy or uncomfortable about these things, so I'm not sure what my problem is, exactly)...
After receiving many side-long glances from people who question my parenting because they would never in a million years be able to say those words aloud in normal conversation due to their own and pre-programmed uncomfortabilities with proper language (You can tell your son he has a d***, but you can't say penis?! COME ON!!!), I have decided that EFF IT. If I am going to raise a knowledgeable and respectful young man, my son will know the correct terminology for his body parts and the body parts of others.
Also, I was reading a post on child safety and talking to your children about strangers, not keeping secrets from parents, etc. As most of us know, the majority of the perpetrators of sexual abuse are people with whom the parent(s) trust their child(ren). Because abuse may not be immediately suspected in those type of situations, other red flags parents have to look for (especially in very young children) is how they refer to their body parts. I think the example was given that if your daughter knows she has a vagina, but all of a sudden starts calling it a "cupcake" or something (sorry, that kind of makes me want to throw up) then you can ask her where she has heard it called that. Although we all hope and pray that our children are never abused in such a way (or in any way), I feel that this is actually a rather excellent reason to use proper anatomical terminology.
The purpose for this post is two-fold, I suppose. I'm sharing my preference with you, but I would also like to know: What are your thoughts on teaching these words to young children? Which words would you prefer to hear coming from not only the mouths of your own children, but young children in general?
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