How do you answer that?

We were all watching TV earlier this evening when a Valtrex commercial came on. I know my kids have seen this commercial several times before. But for some reason Jaden actually watched the commercial this time, because before it was even over, he turned to me and asked, "Mom, what's genital herpes?"

Whoa! We weren't ready for that question!

Thankfully, Jaden and I already had Part One of the "The Talk" about a year ago—the "physiology" part—after we watched Where the Heart Is. (Following the movie, Jaden was quite confused about how the girl in the movie could get pregnant when she wasn't married!) So at least he was not without at least a little understanding of the "Birds and the Bees" when he asked the question tonight.

So Jeff and I answered—honestly answered—his question.

I'll tell you that by the end of the discussion, I think we instilled in Jaden a healthy understanding of genital herpes—as well as an intense desire to avoid contracting the incurable disease if was within his power to do so. And Jaden seemed satisfied with our answer.

Now we're just (anxiously) waiting for him to ask, "Mom, what's ED?" because I am NOT prepared to answer that one!