Oh hello there. I remember you – do you remember me?
For reals, I’m sorry that it’s taken me so long to invest some time onto this space. Life has this annoying way of carrying on even when I don’t get to do everything that I need to. Like writing on my blog or like, brushing my hair and stuff.
Anyway, what could bring me out of my radio silence to vent even when I really don’t have the time for it?
WHAT ABOUT MY SIX YEAR OLD WRITING HER FIRST EVER LOVE LETTER TO A BOY?!
Yeah, that about does it.
Before I get into this discovery, I need to just quickly clarify something.
We are not the type of family that jokes about having boyfriends or girlfriends. In fact if you, as an adult, ask my kid if they have a boy/girlfriend in my presence I might just throat punch you, drag you from the room and then remove you from my friends list. Not that I have a list. But you know what I mean.
The moral of this story is that we take this seriously. Because in no way, shape or form should my child have a boyfriend or girlfriend. Not at 2 (don’t be disgusting) and definitely not at 6 or 7. We can maybe start talking about it when they hit their 20’s at a push.
Obviously I’m joking about being 20 – I mean I was married at 20. But I’m no idiot. In a World where children are exposed to things way earlier than they should be, the terms of girlfriend/boyfriend that we so casually put out there, mean so much more than you think they do.
Actually, I honestly could not care if in their little innocent minds, being a boyfriend or girlfriend just means that they sit next to each other at break time. What if that’s what it means for my 6 year old, but not the 7 year old boy she’s taken a fancy to? What if these terms mean that he tries to smooch her or something. I can feel my blood boiling at the thought of it.
It’s not on. It just isn’t.
Anyway. Back to how I found out.
This morning I was rushing around getting ready for school when said daughter asked me to spell some words for her. In the mix were, “love”, “you”, “eyes”, “heart”. I assumed it was all innocent until she asked her final question.
“Mom, how do you spell XXXXX boys name?”
Uh, say what now?! Are you putting all those things together on the same page for A BOY?! Oh no you’re not.
STOP THAT RIGHT NOW.
So I go take a closer look at the page she’s writing on. Which she tries to hide because obviously she is now embarrassed at being caught out. Which mortifies me a little bit because I really try very hard to create a relationship where they feel comfortable to talk to me about anything – without fear of judgement. But it’s easier said than done WHEN THEY ARE WRITING LOVE LETTERS TO BOYS!
When I finally got a look – there on the page was a picture of the boy (very well done I must say), with the words “I love you with my whole heart” and “I love your eyes” written all over it.
On the one hand I’m thinking it’s just so cute and innocent – telling someone that you love their eyes is just a really nice compliment right?! No harm done. But “I love you with my whole heart” kinda makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little bit.
Despite wanting to take the picture and rip it into tiny little pieces while telling her my plans to dig a basement that I’ll lock her in for the rest of forever, I couldn’t. Because I want her to talk to me about these things. So I held back. As hard as it was. And I asked her what does she mean when she says that she loves him? To which she replied, she “likes” him. Which is not great – but slightly better. So I replied, saying something like “love’s a very strong word reserved for her parents and siblings and no one else ever. And that she maybe just likes him as a friend”.
And then we were late for school so I haven’t really had a chance to finish up that conversation.
But I don’t even know where to start.
I mean, when I was in Grade R I distinctly remember crushing on a boy in my class. Completely innocently of course – I just thought he was amazing. I never acted on it though. I was too shy. But my girl is the opposite of me. She is not shy at all which means that she is probably serenading him with love songs during school time or something.
Argh. What to do. What to think. How to process.
I don’t have the answers, so I’ll just be mulling over some questions. Simple things like…
How do you challenge their thinking on this topic without making it something that they rebel on and then do even more fervently than before?! Where did she get this idiotic idea anyway? Who do I have to destroy? How hard is it do dig a basement? Will it be done before Christmas? Why is parenting so hard?!
If you’re looking for me this weekend you’ll probably find me behind about a million parenting books on the topic. That, or rocking in a corner with a gun and the lock to her bedroom door tied around my neck.
19 comments
Heavens Cindy I have no idea! My 12 year old is showing no interest in boys and I guess boys just do not do something like this. I am quite sure she means it really innocently and I am also very sure that there may have been other letters at school that gave her the idea
Can we swop children 😉 You’re probably right, there must have been precedent at the school because I doubt she would have come up with this on her own. Eeek. It’s so hard!
Dude, my 15 year old decided that he wants to have a girlfriend this year. A girlfriend!!!!! Yep, I too freaked out. And the kid is almost 16 years old. So I totally get where you’re coming from. Relationships are serious business and the thing is, we don’t know what they expect the norm to be (when in a relationship) because the crap on TV (even Disney shows, yo) and the stuff they are fed (when we aren’t around) could be dictating something totally different to them (i.e. you are my boyfriend now, so you can kiss me on the lips etc). Good luck with the basement digging. I’m just about done with mine.
OH MY GOSH!! At least he told you that he wants to and you have that kind of open relationship. That’s a great thing. Doesn’t make dealing with it easier, but still. And I know what you mean – those Disney shows can sometimes be hectic! I can’t even deal. I think I’m going to bury myself in the basement with her
My four year old told me she plays kiss-kiss with the boys. She chase them and kiss them if she can catch them! I am still processing this one. It all seems innocent, but still …..
OH MY GOSH!!!!!
This freaks me out, especially since our daughters are about the same age… how do you even deal?? I have to share – my dad’s favourite story (he even told my husband back when we were still dating) is about how I broke a ruler, beating up a boy who wrote me a love letter when I was in class one… I was that person… so yes, I completely understand you freaking out and wanting to build that basement. Sending all the strength, hugs, and positive thoughts your way, as you attempt to figure out how to handle this. xx
Thanks so much! It seems to have blown over a bit but we’ll see in the next few weeks.
My son tells his cousin (she’s 6 and his hero) I love you when she did something nice for him (can’t remember, shared a cupcake maybe) they were at a kids party and the other kids start making smooching noises and laughing at them. My niece freaks out and Aidan thinks he did something wrong and I just stand there flabbergasted.
You are so right you can do all the right things on your side but can’t control how the other child/children will react.
ALSO totally with you, every time someone asks Aidan if he has a bf I throw up in my mouth and give them the death stare
Kids can be so cruel! And swayed in so many directions we can’t ever prepare for!
Tell her Auntie Liz will help Mom dig the basement… and that Elijah’s Oupa has a gun we can borrow… no ways man!!!
Yeah, I know right!
Cindy you are preparing me – my kid is one now. I hope she doesn’t start at 6 years old liking a boy. Parenthood is so hard – you have to think on your feet. **hugs
Tell me about it! Never a dull moment with kids in tow
Z is almost 13 and thankfully completely still in the “boys are gross” realm. However many of her friends have crushes and even boyfriends. There’s apparently no kissing in these “relationships”, just longer hunts and some hand holding, there are what’s app messages (which I’ve been told about and which parents aren’t interested in policing!!) and selfies together which are on Instagram with hearts and flowers etc. Its only a matter of time before kissing happens. It blows my mind how those parents are ok with these relationships happening in grade 7. I’ve even lectured a few when they’ve been at our house or in my car for lifts!
We’ve always told Z that we will have our first serious “boy” conversation when she gets to high school, to set boundaries and rules in place for her. Until then she can have as many boy friends as she wants, but there and no further.
So with you! High school we can start really discussing it, but for now, no ways.
I eventually asked her if she had given him the note and she said no, so I said that’s probably a good thing. Then I asked if she called him “her boyfriend” and she said no, she’s knows that that’s inappropriate. So I said, OK that’s cool, it’s also better if you say like instead of love and maybe just tell him you like his eyes and not write him long notes because then he might think something different to her. It seems to have been a very brief little thing though – she’s “over it’ now.
Ouch!!! I am speechless and now terrified that I will have to deal with this one day soon too…
How?! x
It’s so hard but we will navigate it like we do every other parenting challenge that comes our way!
Lol… Oh dear