Every once in a while I babysit for two young kids, Eli and Emmy. And most of the time I don't notice anything... especially unusual about the two of them. They are normal elementary- school-aged children who like to race to the swing set and play dress-up and are still struggling to grasp the concept of "rock, paper, scissors" that I taught them recently. But when it becomes bath time, everything seems to change. And perhaps the main problem en-lies in the fact that these children ARE in elementary school and they are still bathing together. I'm sure their parents see nothing wrong with it, for they have probably been bathing together for as long as they can remember.
But at what age do you have to realize that a young boy growing up is going to be interested in what his sister has that he doesn't. At first he won't understand why their bodies are different, but then he'll be fascinated by that fact. And same goes for the girl. Now, how do you separate fostering a healthy curiosity and knowledge about the human body from encouraging some sort of incestual interest? And at elementary-school-age is it possible for it to be anything BUT a healthy curiosity? And if it is then how in the world am I to handle it? Talking to the mom about it is the most reasonable option. But I can't even begin to imagine how that conversation would transpire.
"Uhm, so I'm sure this is completely normal, but your children seem to have a fascination with each other's private parts...."
Yeah, that's not an awkward conversation to have or anything. Yesterday I went with the very stern voice, "Guys, that is NOT appropriate" option. But what if their mom doesn't want me to punish them for being curious? Granted, I feel like it has moved past pure curiosity when Emmy is trying to "kiss Eli's peter to make it feel better." HOW IN THE WORLD AM I SUPPOSED TO DEAL WITH THIS?
...Yet another reason why nineteen year olds should not be given this much influence in the lives of children. We just blatantly don't have the knowledge and resources available to know how to handle things like this. I suppose I know what I have to do... I'm just dreading it. Time to phone the mother and ask some advice....
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