I can really appreciate this story as both someone involved in sex media/advocate and a parent.
The sex media/advocate type in me wants to ensure that people are fully able to express and enjoy their sexuality, regards who it confuses or offends.
The parent in me wants to ensure that my kids grow up with the right information at the right times in their lives.
These two solitudes can’t exist in this world. My kids are going to be exposed to people and ideas that I may not be ready to explain at any given moment. Perhaps they’ll have friends whose parents have an different relationship. Perhaps they’ll see a couple like this, one of whom gets walked with a leash. There are just too many perhapses for me to consider, so instead I’ve chosen the “be ready” approach.
I try to be ready by learning about sexuality.
I try to be ready by looking out for sexual trends and fashions.
I try to be ready by having an honest answer whenever they have questions.
I try to be ready by being about to say “I don’t know” when I can’t answer one of their questions.
I try to be ready by addressing that question later, when I have sourced an answer.
Most of all, I try to be ready by approaching all of this, their and my own curiosities with an open mind. I hope I never shut them down, regardless how unprepared I am.
