I pretty much travelled through my adolescence on my own. There was no one to have the talk with me so I had no idea about anything growing up. Everything came as a surprise to me. I don't recall engaging in any self arrosal either. I didn't really develop a healthy view of sex. It was always something dirty and disgusting to me. To intimate I think.

As a parent I have been very open about topics around sex and sexuality with my son. They tend to come up casually now and then and get discussed like any other topic. The one time I did walk into the living room to see my son fondling himself all I said was 'take it to your room.' He gets that it is pretty natural but private.

I think you handled it beautifully with your girl Lynn. And I think you are right. She will always remember how you respected her inquiry. Well done.