Use The Force (of Pop Culture)

Due to some shifts in his transportation to school, my son has been slightly aware that I have been getting ECT. Well, actually he has just heard the phrase “I have a Dr’s appointment.” Being seven and mostly invested in his own life he has not asked more than that, but I wonder what I would say if he did.

I am not one for lying (well at least not to my child.) I am also not one of those people who believes you need to be upfront without provocation, you know, that mom who says things like “My son turned five today so I thought I better tell him about the 1980s-90s AIDS crisis and the horrors of Rwanda. Afterall, he is a citizen of the world.”

But ask me a direct question and I am into giving a direct (age appropriate level) answer.

In the past extra-curious week alone, we have discussed sperm and egg, the word fuck, and gay rights and the cub scouts. And that’s just what my shocked brain remembers.

So if my son said “What are you going to the Dr. for anyway?” I imagine my answer would have some truth, especially since my whole thesis is get rid of stigma, have no shame.

So do I want him to ask or not? I got to say a bit of both.

I don’t really think it is necessary for him to know much about any part of my health while he is seven (besides being aware that, like him, I am trying to make healthy choices.) Between his desire to create a beautiful loogie and see every episode of clone wars, he has enough to focus on in his own life and there is really no benefit to him knowing.

But a small part of me hopes he asks. And why is that?
Because, I am pretty sure I am running out of time where he will still think  its cool, that me getting Electro-Convulsive Therapy, means Princess Leia and I have something in common.

And  if I believe anything as a parent, it’s you gotta get the advantage where you can.