goodbye summer

D's Nuts

I had to go buy D a cup the other day after his soccer coach strongly recommended he wear one for his first game. Not really a big deal, I don't have a problem with stuff like that. In case you ever need a tutorial, though, a good place to get some info is here. D, however, didn't really know much about the subject either, and wondered what this piece of plastic was all about. He guessed that it was in case you got "hit in the nuts". And I automatically said, "testicles".
I have spent so much time reading stuff about what if your adoptive/foster child has been sexually abused or abusive, and they all say that proper terminology is the most healthy way to refer to ones naughty bits. In fact it's essential to use the correct names comfortably. Even most normal kid advice about how to be comfortable and open about sex within the family says the same thing. I say bullocks!
It feels very unnatural and incredibly self-conscious to speak of testicles outside of health class. Whenever the twins come up in conversations with others, they are referred to as nuts, balls, jewels, etc. While this is not a constant topic of discussion in our house, it has come up, and surely will again. To use the proper names feels very stuffy and uncomfortable with the parts being named and everything having to do with them. Exactly the opposite of the intended effect. I want my son to be able to talk to me about all sorts of things including sex and his body. To force a specific vocabulary seems like a good way to cut off natural conversation. Perhaps it would be different if I had him from infancy and taught him proper names from the beginning, but to go back seems unnecessary and foolish. Of course, emotional & value-laden terms are not appropriate as are many slang terms unrelated to the body.
As far as penis goes, I can't think of an alternative that is not a "dirty word." And thankfully, so far I do not have a girl to ponder the possibilities of vagina verbiage.