Bedtime, last night:
The Girl: Daddy, do all men and boys have nipples.
The Dad: Yep. Everyone has nipples.
The Girl: No. Women have boobs!
The Dad: Women have nipples on their boobs.
The Girl: Will I have boobs when I grow up to be a woman?
The Dad: Yes, you will.
The Girl: Do I have a penis?
The Dad: No sweetie. You do not have a penis. You know that.
The Girl: Yes. I have a vulva and a vagina.
The Dad: That’s right. You know your parts.
The Girl: I want to be a boy.
The Dad: Why, silly? Girls are great. Women are great.
The Girl: I want to be a man like you.
The Dad: Ah, you’ll be like your mother and me in many ways. But, you’ll grow up to be a woman.
The Girl: Can women be astronauts?
The Dad: Of course. There are lots of women astronauts.
The Girl: Can men be teachers?
The Dad: Of course. There are lots of men teachers. Grandpa was a college teacher for a long time.
The Girl: Is [male classroom aide] a teacher?
The Dad: He’s like a teacher, but mostly a teacher’s helper. Maybe he’s learning to be a teacher.
The Girl: [Male classroom aide] is bigger than you!
The Dad: Yes, he’s taller, but I’m older!