face value

So for most people, when you tell them that something works the way it does within society, they may ask why, but they understand that they must adhere to it because "that is how it is". I know I've talked on Johnny's literal side before, but I thought I'd share the funniest experience we've had as a result of it.

About the time Johnny turned 3 1/2, Steve and I decided that physical boundaries (in terms of visual) needed to be put in place. He was old enough, and it was time for him to no longer encounter mommy undressed. From birth and having been nursed to walking in on me changing, it was never a problem but he was old enough to start following that social rule. He took this new rule with his typical question, "why?" and we explained that boys and girls have different parts to their body in some places, and that when you're no longer a little kid, you have to start making sure you give girls (or boys if the shoe was on the other foot) extra privacy. Surprisingly this wasn't met with 20 more "why?"s and we moved on with our day.

Not even a week later, I forgot my towel in my bedroom while showering. I usually hang it there to dry after I wash up, and had not remembered to bring it in with me again the following day. (Side note: Steve says I do this more days than not. That is probably true. I'm horribly forgetful when it comes to the small stuff.) When I was finished with my shower, I called out for Steve, who was to my luck at home and off work with us that day, do bring me my towel. Not thinking anything of it, he went and grabbed it and opened the bathroom door. I was still behind the shower curtain, unexposed, but I heard Johnny starting to follow him. 

"DADDY! YOU CAN'T SEE MOMMY WITHOUT HER CLOTHES ON! IT'S THE RULE!" 

Coughing on our own laughs, Steve and I (me still hidden) began to explain the difference. Boys and girls who are married are allowed to see eachother not dressed. I won't go into why that isn't the most accurate statement once a certain age is reached, but I have a slight curiosity as to whether or not he will be a kid who sticks to the rules when he gets older in regards to that one. 

"Okay." No questions asked.

Wait for it... 

2 minutes later as he is working his way back down stairs, (and I am out of the shower and securely wrapped up, headed for my bedroom) Johnny's mental wheels have turned for long enough for his rational side to make yet another observation. "Then I can see Christy without her clothes on! We're married!"

Now, he's been claiming to be married to my sister for over a year now. We all go along with it because it is cute and he loves her. However, nothing could have prepared me for this awesome bit of ammunition for his future 13-year-old self. He was absolutely right; based on what we had told him, he could see Christy without her clothes on. 

We proceeded to amend the rule, (yes, still not entirely accurate) telling him that mommies and daddies are allowed to see each other undressed, but he can't see Christy without her clothes on. He didn't quite buy it, so I just told him that Christy wouldn't be comfortable with it and he shrugged before moving on with his day.

Conversation over. No big.

Less than a week later, Christy came in from Pittsburgh to visit, and as she was sticking around for a few days, she bounced between friends and family's houses. She came over one morning to hang out and went ahead and took her shower at our place. I thought nothing of it.

I was in the middle of a meeting with Erin and Ashleigh, the new behavioral specialist and TSS. I wasn't paying complete attention to Johnny while he was playing, and neither was Steve from the other room. Johnny was just sort of meandering between the kitchen (Steve) and the living room (me). Then all of the sudden, I hear him working his way up the stairs toward the bedrooms and our bathroom. "Steve! Make sure he isn't trying to go into the bathroom!!!" Thankfully, she had locked the door as I often forget to do myself. Johnny only knocked on the door, but I was relieved nonetheless. 

There was no more talk of personal visual boundaries until this past weekend. Friends of mine had come to town to visit for the weekend. We hadn't seen them since Johnny was about 2 1/2, so he didn't remember the couple. The first thing he asked my friend Kevin is who his sister was? Kevin explained that Claire was not his sister, but rather his wife. Johnny's response?

"YOU CAN SEE EACH OTHER WITHOUT YOUR CLOTHES ON!" 

Without a context, this was an even funnier proclamation. Yes, yes they could. And I somehow have a feeling that we will have quite a few more of these entertaining moments of enlightenment as we interact with other couples.