Curiosity

[Mickie]

My daughter (she’s twelve and a little precarious) is visiting her grandmother (my mother) this week. I got a call from Ma today, and she was both laughing and a little apologetic. Last night, my daughter got on the web and Ma went to bed. Later, my daughter came into her room, red in the face and a little tearful. It turns out that she got bored, got into some nasty pages, and the computer froze up on her. She didn’t know that my Ma’s reset button is in the back of the machine, so she couldn’t just turn it all off. She HAD to tell Grandma about it.

Talk about embarrassment.

For all you horrified parents out there -- most kids are curious, and will get into something no matter how you try to protect them from the real world. I try to discuss these issues with both my children (boy and girl) and so does their mother. They’re well informed and we try to emphasize the need for trust and caring and respect about sex. And really, there’s no net nanny better than parental supervision. (Or grand-parental supervision.)

And for all those who are wondering how I’m going to react when the kid gets home -- gently, people. I don’t want to harrass her, but I want her to know I know, and that it isn’t okay, but I understand. That’s all. Right now I’m laughing. I can just see her hanging her head and confessing to my mother in the middle of the night. No need for punishment here. She’s been traumatized enough.

Mickie

 

[Cheyenne]

If anything, you need to say something to her to LESSEN the trauma so she knows that she is perfectly normal for being curious!

 

[Laurel]

Ouch! I'm laughing and cringing at the same time... I remember that age, and I would have been absolutely mortified to be in your daughter's shoes. You sound like a sensitive, intelligent parent, and I think you're handling the situation wonderfully.