My oldest son just turned 12. That means it is time for THE talk. That talk which has been referred to as "the birds and the bees." I wondered where that phrase came from and what the original meaning was so I took a little jaunt over to Wikipedia and this is what it says,"According to some, the birds and the bees is a metaphorical story sometimes told to children in an attempt to explain the mechanics and consequence of sexual intercourse. According to that story, a baby is created when a bee stings a bird. In some cases the choice of birds and bees may be because they provide a ready metaphor for insemination (pollination) and childbirth (hatching).Um, OK. That didn't really prepare me any more for taking on this task. Do all dads dread THE talk? My dad never talked to me about it, my mom read me a book when the time came. I remember the book and most of what it said. I have a similar type book to read with my son but I still feel much anxiety over it all. I guess I don't want to do anything wrong that'll mess up him or his outlook.
Word sleuths William and Mary Morris hint that it may have been inspired by words like these from the poet Samuel Coleridge: 'All nature seems at work ... The bees are stirring--birds are on the wing ... and I the while, the sole unbusy thing, not honey make, nor pair, nor build, nor sing.'"
In addition to that, I want to discuss with him what is expected of him as a 12 year old. I have an audio CD from the Vision Forum called "What To Expect From A Twelve-Year-Old." In it, Dr. S. M. Davis is saying that the rebellion we see today in teens and adolescents is "relatively a new concept." And it's getting worse. He suggests using the example of the 12 year old Jesus that we get from New Testament scripture to show what we should expect from our 12 year olds.
So I am preparing myself, much too slowly for my wife's taste as time is ticking and he's already turned 12. Maybe I am dragging my feet on it a little? I am really curious to know if other Dads have had this same sort of anxiety over this thing. Let me know if you get a chance. I am gonna have to get on my knees and ask God for some strength and resolve on this to just take the first step. I am sure it will go easier once I get started. Kind of like jumping off the high dive the first time: you get all tense and scared but after you finally get to the edge and jump, then it was just gravity taking you the rest of the way. Wow, that doesn't sound like the best analogy, ay? I'll let you know if I get water in my nose or not.
