Girls don’t fart…and other crazy myths about the female body

Ok, I realize this post is a little off kilter from my usual topics, but as always, there’s so much more to the story. It was just an ordinary Friday evening in the Adams household. I’m cleaning up after dinner while the girls are off watching and playing on their tablets. Samara (my 3 year old), was in a bit of a daze. She’s standing a few feet from me when I notice her pause for a second…and then let out a big loud fart.

It was no big deal…she used her manners and said excuse me. Only this time, she gets my attention by pointing to her behind and asking me somewhat quietly, “Mommy, do girls do that with their bodies?” Again, this is my 3 year old and these are the words that came out of her mouth. As funny and random as I thought the question was, I was completely confused. I asked her, “What do you mean?” just to clarify.” Then she simply asked, “Do girls fart?”

I told her, “Of course girls fart! Everyone farts!” and a look of relief came across her face. Now, the mommy investigator in me came to surface. “Samara, who told you that girls don’t fart?” I realized I was pushing it expecting a real answer from her, but I could easily create a scenario in my head. I pictured the kids in her pre-school class playing. One of the girls let one rip. Everyone giggles, including the girl who dealt it, as if it were no big deal. Then, I picture another kid – probably some little boy who sits around farting with his dad in front of the tv – bursts out something to the effect of “Yuck…girls don’t fart!”

Whether my story is true or false, I was determined to make this a girl power moment.  So to my daughter I say YES Samara!  Girls fart. And they poop. And they burp and barf and do a bunch of other really gross things too that you’ll learn as you get older.  Will boys like it – no.  Is it too bad for them – yes.

I figure there will be many other crazy myths about the female body my girls will soon enough be presented and it will be up to me to dispel. Some will be as lighthearted as passing gas…some will be far more serious and deal with significant aspects of their sexual anatomy.  Either way, I hope I succeed in getting the lines of communication open so they’ll be comfortable sharing with me.