Tuesday, September 30, 2008

I Guess This is What Happens When Kids Learn To Read

Kaeli: Mommy, what's this word?
Me: Kaeli, I'm driving. You're going to have to spell it for me.
Kaeli: W - O - M - B (Kaeli sounding it out) WaOoMmBa. What's that?
Me: What are you reading?
Kaeli: My new library book from school.

Check out the culprit


Kaeli and I have had the 6 years old version of the "where do babies come from?" talk, but having your kid spell out the word WOMB on the way home from Grandma's is a little shocking.

So, as soon as we got home I took a look at the book, and I have to say it's actually really adorable and charming. It's an unborn baby's perspective on what it's like waiting to be born. The line Kaeli was asking about is "Dear Ma, What's a baby to do in a womb with no view?" How cute is that? They refer to the umbilical cord as a bungee cord, so I did have to explain that, but no biggie. It's written by the author of the Junie B Jones books that Kaeli loves. (Ok, fine. I love them too.) It really would be a perfect gift for a kid waiting for his/her new baby brother or sister to be born.

But, to be honest, I was a little shocked that Kaeli found the book in her school library. Don't get me wrong, I love books. I think there is so much to learn from books. I don't really agree with censorship and the book isn't inappropriate at all, but I can't help but think that some parents would be none to pleased if their kid came home with it. Maybe I'm not giving other parents the benefit of the doubt. Maybe I just think I'm more opened minded than other people. But wouldn't thinking I'm more open minded than other people make me somewhat close minded? Oh, all this philosophical thinking is making my head hurt.

Bottom line: I was able to hear my baby talk about wombs, and I didn't crash the car. Hurray for me!!

4 comments:

MaryB said...

hee-hee!!!! What an adorable concept for a storyline! It WOULD be boring in there!

Astarte said...

I love Barbara Park! I'm a little surprised that that book was in her library, too, though. That seems more like a book you would pick out to read to your child, not one that the child should pick out for themselves. Huh. Anyway, it's still really cute!!!

Cherish said...

looks like astarte beat me to it

april said...

wow. i am so not ready to have that talk. i am excited though that i had a c-section so i can say with all sincerity that yes babies do come from your belly, look at this scar. i wont have to say the vajayjay word for years, i hope anyway.