I have a good idea

The Boy informed us recently that he would like a baby and a little brother and a little sister and that's it. We said ok, but it's going to take a little while. Why? he asked, and we told him that mommy would have to grow the baby in her belly. He seemed to accept that, and then he said, "I have a good idea. Mommy will grow a baby sister in her belly, and Ima can grow a baby brother in her belly, and I will grow a baby in my belly."

Well, you won't be able to grow a baby in your belly, we explained. Why not? he asked, most forlornly. I told him only grown-up ladies can grow babies, that he couldn't do it because he was a boy, and I felt terrible. It's biology, of course, and not sexism, but it still felt awful to say, "you can't do that because you're a boy."

I asked AR if she thought he'd be upset about it. She watched him dance with a piece of bread he was singing to.

"I think he's fine," she said.