family support

[dancing_crow]

family support, originally uploaded by Dancing Crow.

Aerin's young man came with us to Family Circus last night, and proved himself charming, reliable and sturdy.

I find myself working hard to treat him kindly but without familiarity. His relationship is with Aerin, and I aim to remain present but peripheral.

For all of my short spasms of talk about sex and protection and yadda yadda*, I have noticed that mostly they hang out together and play. They jump on the trampoline until breathless, and then lie there talking and laughing. They don't shut Alice out, seeking privacy, but generously include her. Yesterday they were messing about with the trebuchet, followed by some intensive juggling practice, a lot of food and then circus. Where he finished with the most wonderful, astonished grin on his face.

Aerin would like to take him on a Tuesday Night Hike, but is worried that the combined scrutiny of her father and her spare father Bill would make him uncomfortable. I think he'd be fine.

* the talk, at the moment, goes something like "I think sex is awesome, even for you my child, but it is big and important and makes you affectionate almost against your will, aside from being a vector for STDs and pregnancy and babies, so think carefully and love and trust the person you do have it with, do your best to avoid the pitfalls, and please, please please ask for help if you need it because I love you more than I can say"

Poor Alice has been getting it too, years ahead of schedule, simply because I am thinking so hard about the things I really want them to hear: I love you. I will help you, matter what. Really - I love you pretty much sums it up.