Kids

When my eldest son was 4, he got in the cupboard under the sink in the bathroom.  Inevitably, he located the box of tampons.  Out he comes, with a fistful, and demands to know "what these are for?"

My mind raced, while I tried to imagine an answer that would satisfy him without terrorizing him.  One of many incidents I had to maintain that balance, I would say.  So, in the growing silence, I came up with answer.

"They're for girls."

"But what are they for?"  he asks.

"They're for girls."  I'm starting to sweat now.

"But what are they for?"  he insists.

"They're for girls."  Shit.

"But what are they FOR?"  he hisses.

So I say what any responsible mother would say.

"Um.  I don't know." 

"Okay," says my son, and off he goes.

Jesus.