Mar

2

Single Parenting and “The Talk”

Is your penis awake before you are?

This was one of the questions my tween’s teacher discussed during a group advisory at my son’s all boys school. He said it was the weirdest talk he ever had. He couldn’t believe the word “penis” was coming out of his teacher’s mouth.

I, on the other hand, wasn’t surprised. I had signed a school waiver to allow him to be part of the “Birds and the Bees” discussion at school, what I call “The Talk”.

Although I have spoken to my tween about puberty, his hormones, and the changes he is sure to experience, I knew that hearing it from another adult, a responsible adult, would hammer it into my tween’s head.

The school selected a male teacher to conduct “The Talk”. Because teachers and parents are very involved in this school, I already knew the teacher. He is a responsible man, someone my son can look up to. The words coming out of his mouth would have impact, especially for boys being raised by single Moms, like mine.

When my son came home, he was excited. He wanted to tell me all about The Talk. He explained how the teacher made jokes, how he was scared to raise his hand and ask questions and how he was surprised that women did not have an adam’s apple. He then told me,

Mom, I enjoyed The Talk but I rather ask you questions.

Those words were like a salve to my ears, in more ways than one. You see, I worry. I worry that my sons will think I do not understand them. I worry that they will go to male friends for advise. I worry that they do not have a man in the home to emulate. And I worry and worry and worry. It’s part of being a parent, yes I know; however, a single parent, a single Mother of boys, has the added stress of having to raise a boy into a man, regardless if the father is involved or not.

Let’s talk! Are you a single parent? Have you had similar worries? Let us know in a comment!

Photo Credit

About the Author

Avatar

Migdalia Rivera, also known as Ms. Latina in social media, is a single Latina mother of a teen, tween and 2 Australian Shepherds. When not blogging, or chasing after her energetic bunch, she connects influential bloggers with brands and PR agencies via her blogger network, Stiletto Media.

Facebook Comments

{ 5 comments… add one }

  • Avatar Rosie March 2, 2012, 12:31 pm

    Migdalia, I commend you on doing such a fabulous job with your sons. It’s hard for me and I have a little girl (same species, supposedly, lol)

    And BTW: I’m very glad women don’t have adam’s apples. ha!

  • Avatar Ms. Latina March 2, 2012, 1:22 pm

    Gracias @Rosie!

    I love being a Mom and honestly I prayed for boys (so easy to dress and no hair combing in morning rush!) but there are times when I wonder if I will have the answers they need on their journey to manhood.

  • Avatar Justice Jonesie March 2, 2012, 2:27 pm

    I have a ten year old son and we have had somewhat of a talk already. Even though I am not a single mom, I get stressed about what is to come. I can only imagine how that is intensified by being a single mom. You are doing a fab job and that is demonstrated by the fact that he wants to talk to you about what is going on down there. Keep up the good work and be proud of yourself!
    Justice Jonesie recently posted..Caution: Multitasking Causes Injuries

  • Avatar Ms. Latina March 2, 2012, 4:26 pm

    What a surprise! I didn’t not realize our tweens are the same age @Justice Jonesie!

    They really are great boys and I don’t just say that because I am their Mom. And to be honest I can’t take full credit for it, we have a great church group that helps me considerably with them.
    Ms. Latina recently posted..Single Parenting and “The Talk”

  • Avatar alissa apel March 2, 2012, 5:31 pm

    You are doing such a great job raising your son’s! I love that they want to ask you questions instead of their teachers!

    My son has a really close girl friend. He’s only 6. They play and watch movies. Her Dad is a single parent. He is raising 3 girls on his own. My first thought was, “How is he going to deal with periods and bras!” He’s very close to his girls. I’m hoping he’ll be as strong as you have been!
    alissa apel recently posted..Skipin’ Rope

Leave a Comment

Menu
×
error

Enjoyed this blog? Spread the word!