I read a delightful and amusing post today, All Your Pink Parts, over at The Dirty Mommy Club blog.

Stephanie talks about the all-too-familiar experience of our young children blurting out their understanding of all sorts of new vocabulary words in the most public places. ;-)

It got me wondering… what’s with the ‘discomfort’ around our children being very matter-of-fact about being able to name ALL body parts?

And why does it seem more acceptable to use childish words for some body parts… though certainly not most. And I don’t just mean hearing children use words like penis or vagina… there are plenty of adults who seem to have some reluctance. Take Oprah… even she finds it challenging to call a vagina a vagina. What is up with that?!?!

I was actually startled when Stephanie, author of The Dirty Mommy Club blog, stated that some people share that they feel the anatomically correct terms are much too VULGAR for children to use. Say WHAT?!!??

Upon reflection, it dawns on me that I’ve certainly been in situations where a child has blurted out, “Johnny has a pee-pee”, only to have the adults in the crowd smile or chuckle indulgently.

But when I’ve heard a little girl shout out, “Jimmy has a penis”, in a similarly crowded space, the silence is so complete you could hear snot roll.

Yep… grownups are one big walking contradiction. Maybe it would serve of to become more matter of fact ourselves about this ‘pink parts’ issue. ;-)

Meanwhile… I’m curious. Where do you stand on the use of anatomically correct terms? And what makes that important for YOU?

Inquiring minds want to know….