Loss of Innocence

Yesterday, Z lost some of his innocence. It breaks my heart to even go here. We try to protect our kids from "The Others" as I like to call people who don't raise their children with the same values and morals. But, it happens...they hear things, they see things. Thankfully, I was there. Thankfully, I heard it, too.

Yesterday was Field Day. Standing out in the hot sun, the kids got restless. A little girl standing by Z and 3 other boys started to talk. Not only did she talk, she showed them a hand gesture...THE hand gesture, the one that only uses one finger. Get where I am going with this?

Enter protective mommy on stage right.

First thing that alerted me to anything amiss, was the look on the boy's faces. It was a mixture of doubt, surprise, and dare I say it...joy. Something was going down. The next thing I notice was the middle finger on each boy's hand. Every single one of them had it in an unnatural position. Some had it up, some trying to stick it up, Z had it folded over his other fingers with the knuckle raised.

I had pretty well caught on to the conversation and moved closer to the girl. Z looked at me and showed me the gesture. He asked if it was a bad word.

If he only knew.

I calmly explained that it was an inappropriate gesture and the words associated with it were ugly words. I told Z we never use that gesture or those words because they mean bad things. I also told him that daddy and I would talk him later. Knowing that I was in over my head, I recruited help from Mrs. R. She handled it like the pro that she is. We walked away together, but Skip was still by the group. He came to us and said that this little girl was continuing her story and now added the word, "Mother". I think you know the rest.

So, here is our dilemma.

We did not discuss it further with Z last night, partly because we were at a loss and partly because he didn't bring it up. At some point, I feel we need to address it. Do we just get it out there and tell him what he is likely to hear and explain what it all means? Does that take the mystery and secrecy away? Do we address it only if he asks? What to do, what to do.

Obviously, I am praying that God will remove this from his memory. I am praying that God will restore what was taken from him yesterday. I am praying that God will give Skip and I the wisdom to handle this correctly. Other than that, any advice would be appreciated.