Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Uncomfortable Handling

During my fatherhood experience, I’ve kept up with parenting books, including “What to Expect,” “Dr. Spock,” and a variety of others. I peruse each month’s section to learn the necessary information, and otherwise default to my wife’s more thorough knowledge of parenting literature. Despite my review of the published expertise, I haven’t found anything that covers the uncomfortable feeling of handling my baby’s genitals.

As far as I can tell, there are no published rules, and this frightens me. Up until now, I’ve been OK with the layer of protection offered by a baby wipe. I’m sure the thin, moist cloth, coupled with my intention to cleanse is enough to prevent the skin to skin contact that triggers federal sentencing guidelines. Despite the legal ramifications, my moral integrity is at stake, and I become concerned at the slightest slip. I’ve already had to check his foreskin to make sure all is kosher, which, strictly speaking, it’s not. This contact makes me shutter. I certainly don’t want to violate him, but I must be brave if I expect to educate my little man about his little man. I just wish someone would tell me the appropriate rules. For now, I’m going to stick to the following: I will clean him down there until he can clean himself. Once he realizes he has opposable thumbs, it’s in his hands.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

try being a woman and handling little boy parts! or worse, vice versa! =)