At what age can we teach our children about Box Turtle Love

[LynneSin]

I truly believe that for our society to evolve in a society that respects people of all backgrounds, then we much teach our children at an early age about Box-Turtle Love. Repressing this form of love will only have our children grow up with hate in their hearts not only for box turtles but for those of us who love box turtles

Any recommendations?

[billybob537]

1. Ask that stupid puke

that coined the phrase.

[Dookus]

2. I think the basics

can be presented at any time, without having to get into the sexual aspects of it.

I'd recommend "Heather Has Two Box Turtles" as a good primer for kids. Then, answer any questions honestly, but don't go into details that the child isn't ready to understand.

[Richardo]

3. You're just a shameless mouthpiece for NAWBTLA

...the North American Woman-Box Turtle Love Association.

You and your ilk will destroy the sanctity of same-species marriages in 'Murka!

[Richardo]

4. Believe it or not - I posted this BEFORE I saw Dookus' post

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x1405842

Kudos, Dookus :thumbsup:

[tigereye]

5. a friend and I inadvertently "liberated" a neighbor's turtle once

but I don't think that is what you are talking about.

Free the turtles!

[Dudley_DUright]

6. It is never too young to have that talk about the birds and the turtles

This classic Dr. Suess story might help. ;-)

[BigMcLargehuge]

7. I learned to love turtles early

must have been all that wicked UHF TV my parents let me watch until I became a brain damaged turtle-loving basket case.



Swoon...

[MsUSA]

8. Oh my, I'm 53 and I don't even know about the box turtle love...

*embarrassed* can someone give me a clue??? :)

[LynneSin]

9. Believe me, this one will score well on the Conservative Idiots list:

So desperate was Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, to explain last week how gay marriage threatens us all that he tried some smear tactics on a thicker-shelled species. "It does not affect your daily life very much if your neighbor marries a box turtle," Cornyn said.

"But that does not mean it is right. Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife." Scary stuff.

http://www.oregonlive.com/editorials/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1089806177311330.xml


Not kidding you on that quote!!!

[Canuckistanian]

10. Just as they're leaving for college...

It's truly the love that dares not speak it's name.

[Unperson 309]

11. Teaching Your Child About Box Turtles is Important

it is a sensitive subject, but early is always best. Perhaps your child has seen someone out walking with his or her turtle and is asking questions, or maybe he or she has seen something on television.

The best way to start is to tell them that there are different ways of expressing love in this wonderful world. Some choose men, women, Golden retrievers, or, as the child has noticed, box turtles.

Be sure to inform your child that the pictures on TV of young, eager turtles with high peaked shiny shells and impossibly thin legs, sleek claws and long necks is an ideal, not reality. Not every turtle is blessed with that Armor-All'ed perfection and some pictures are even airbrushed or the shells treated with shellac to get that shine!

Tell your child that any human-turtle liaison must be consenting on both sides, gentle and respectful for both partners. Find a good book on the subject (Heather Has Two Box Turtles is excellent as has been noted). My favorite, and the one that I used to teach my son with was "My Pet Box Turtle" by Koko Pelee.

What if your child expresses disgust? Simply tell him or her that box turtle love is not for everyone and many persons never develop an interest in amphibian at all. Some love box turtles exclusively and some like both! Amphi-dexterous!

And what if your son or daughter brings a turtle home? Remember, be fair! While we didn't do such things ourselves, it's a different world, now and box turtles are a part of that world. For that instance, a book for Mom and dad might be a good idea. I highly recommend "Love Among The Mealworms" by Constance Cricket and also (although it might be a bit racier) "Shell By The Bed: An Illustrated Marital Manual" by Raymond Thudd.

There has never been a better time to be a turtleophile! The best time to start that little talk is right now! Good luck!

309
NOTE: Oh, my God! I have to take this advice very seriously, myself! While I explained everything in depth to my own son, I was NOT expecting *this*... I just got an email from Iraq... he says he met a Galapagos Tortoise and wants our blessings! We never figured TORTOISES into this! The Missus is going to simply freak out!

[WoodrowFan]

12. would you want your brother to marry one?

I mean, can't they stay with their own kind! Sure, we've all gotten drunk and experimented with salamanders and goldfish when were in college, but BOX TURTLES!!!