So, our first born is turning 9 this week and I’m going through all the emotions moms usually go through when the child that made you a mother is now rolling her eyes at you because you want to wear a Santa hat that says “I’m Ready To Jingle” at her birthday party. (I mean, come on, you know I look good in it.)
I mean 9. I remember 9. I was in Mrs. Harris’ 4th grade class at Armand Bayou Elementary and had a massive crush on Justin. Ah, Justin. He was so handsome and sweet. I wonder what happened to him? I wonder if he remembers the pencil I let him borrow? I wonder if that small act perhaps changed the course of his life…
Ok, I digress.
Point being, I remember that age and I also remember thinking, man, I’m massively confused about so many things (ha, ha, yes, I still am, let me just say- duuuuuuuuuumb- to all of you who were thinking that). So I should not have been totally shocked when my baby girl asked me what a period was (not sure which punk kid shared this information with her before me but I will find you).
The thought of moonwalking out of my house and pretending I didn’t hear her did occur to me. But then I remembered my first time-in India, at my ba’s house (you don’t mess with that woman) with my dad and brother, mom was out partying at sari shops-and let’s just say the whole thing was, weeeeelll, no bueno.
So I wanted to be sure that my baby was armed with enough knowledge and confidence to understand her body and all the beautiful (that’s the adjective I kept repeating) changes she was going to go through in the next few years.
I went all in.
Took her for a 1 hour walk. I went through all the biology stuff (google.com because, I still don’t know what the F is going on), all the emotions she could experience, the fun physical changes. I was so proud of myself. I didn’t even flinch. I was cool, calm, kinda collected.
Man, I’m a bada&& motha.
As we walk back in the door, she decides to take a a very pragmatic approach to the whole thing and says, “Mom, that was a little too much. I just needed a basic idea.” She then proceeds to walk into her room, closing the door behind her.
DOH.
“You want to post pictures of uteruses ,who’s going to watch it?”- Tanaya’s mom.
I could not think of a better time for this recent (99!!) episode than this past week
@dr_cuterus (Dr. Tanaya Narendra (FRSPH)) is now the most popular medical professional on social media in India
Dr. Tanaya has been awarded Sexual Health Influencer of the Year 2020 by SH24, the online sexual health partner of the NHS ,Top 25 Disruptors of India 2021 by Cosmo India, and Health Influencer Of The Year by the IHW council
Dr. Tanaya runs @dr_cuterus which has garnered over 1 million followers on Instagram and over 50 million views on Youtube. She uses fairytales, mannequins, fun GIFs, and hilariously relatable examples to talk jargon-free and scientifically about complex medical and sexual education topics, all wrapped up with an inclusive and gender-neutral bow.
Her new book, Dr. Cuterus- Everything Nobody Tells You About Your Body, is available now in India and will be available worldwide starting January 2023.
I asked her where she was when I needed her a few days earlier.
Alright kids, I leave you with this song because, duh….and it’s the best.
If You Don't Like My Lyrics, You Can Press FF