FLE

J: Mom, they are going to teach us Family Life Education, unless you sign this form.

Me: Oh, good.

J: You don’t want to sign the form?!

Me: You want me to? It’s important to know the right names for stuff and how the body works.

J: But in school?! That doesn’t seem appropriate!

Me: Why not, it’s part of education, after all.

—- a few weeks later…

J: So, FLE starts tomorrow.

Me: Oh yeah, what do you think you will learn about?

J: Puberty, body parts, child abuse and hygiene.

Me: Someone read the flyer! Good, maybe they can teach you to scrub your face with a washcloth once in a while.

J: No, not that kind of stuff. And — we’ll be “gender segregated.” But…none of us knows what that is.

Me: It’s separating the girls and the boys. Cuts down on the giggling when they have to say words like “penis.”

J: Mom! (He giggles.) I can’t even not giggle now.

Me: Oh I’m sure there will be plenty of giggling.

J: It still just doesn’t seem appropriate for school!