ON THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERWEAR

Being a mother of small children can be surreal at times, especially because we all tend to take for granted how much of our human behavior is shaped by our environment. Take the importance of underwear, for example.

My youngest daughter, just shy of 2 years old, is of the mind of late that a diaper or other covering for her privates is completely unnecessary. And she is not potty trained yet. Usually I am alerted to the dire situation unfolding in the other part of the house by one of the other children screaming, "UGH, Shelby is naked!!!!" At night, we have taken to duct-taping her diaper on because she delights in taking it off as a bedtime ritual.

All this begs for her to be potty-trained, and we are working on that. But my point, here is, what is the big deal anyway? In many cultures around the world, going commando or nearly so is the norm.

What is evident from my experiences with all my children is that left to our own natural desires we would probably not wear much clothing, except when forced to do so by the elements. It's the state of nature, as Rousseau would say. So, if this is the case, why did I just spend hundreds of dollars on clothes for my kids for school? See, its all conditioning - we are slaves to the fashion impulses of our culture.

That is except for underwear/diapers/pullups, which I really do think are important. It's in the Bible after all - or at least all the illustrations in kids Bibles - pictures of Adam and Eve wearing fig leaves, right? And although many cultures are far less acquisitive about clothing than our society, universally in nearly every human culture there is some form of covering used for the private areas. Then, of course, there is the issue of people peeing on the floor, which can be unpleasant.

So my conclusion is that I need to press forward with helping my youngest child to understand the importance of underwear. Let's hope she catches on quickly.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Today is the boys first day of the new school year. I always loved going back to school. Summer was hard (although also very fun) because I missed all my friends from school. Plus it was always fun to get new clothes and school supplies. Ah, the smell of brand new rubber erasers and crayons - Ain't nothing like it.

We had a talk with both boys about friendships and making good choices in these first critical days of school. I have to admit that as each year goes by my angst as a mother grows. Am I really doing all I can to help them to be young men of character? Does the teaching they get at home about right behavior - morals, manners and hygiene included - come out when they are away from us?

I have to say that if personal hygiene is any indicator of how well we are doing, I have reason to be worried. My sons just do not feel it is necessary to wash their hands, face and teeth everyday as I do. And taking a bath or shower everyday? Forget it. Now my older son who is becoming a teenager soon is starting to finally get the importance of cleanliness, but even he rolls his eyes at me.

Fortunately, at heart, these guys are both good kids. But I do worry and I talk to them about my worries which is always a treat for them. (I can tell by how they look at me with that please dear Lord make her stop face.) But I hope some of it sinks in. Afterall, I remember times when I had brand new clothes and new school supplies and didn't brush my teeth or face before heading off to school...and I eventually got it that these things are necessary and eventually became a productive member of society with appropriate personal hygiene, manners and, even more importantly, good morals.

So, here's to the start of another school year - there's always so much to learn!