On Monday, I went to pick up my son, Max, from ballet, and he was standing outside the studio with another boy from his group. They were holding their hands together when I pulled up to the building, but Max let go and quickly said "Bye!" when I called out to him. When Max got into the car, this was the exchange that happened:
Me: "Did you have fun today?"
Max: "Yeah!"
Me: "Glad to hear it. Do you like your classmates?"
Max: "Uh-huh!"
Me: "Is there anyone you like more than others?"
Max: *pause* "I like Michael."
Me: "Is Michael nice?"
Max: "Yeah. We help each other with stretching and warm-ups and stuff."
Me: "Did Michael forget his gloves today, or something?"
Max: *giggles* "Yeah! He's really funny like that. He's always missing stuff, or forgetting things. He said his hands were cold."
Me: "So you offered to keep his hands warm, huh? That was nice of you."
Max: *blushes a bit* "Yeah, I guess. But it made my tummy feel weird, though."
Me: "You mean, like butterflies? Do you think you might like Michael as more than a friend?"
Max: *nods quietly*
Me: "You know that's okay, right, honey? You can like boys or girls, or both. Whatever--or whoever--you choose, your Dad and I will always support you."
Max: *leans forward and hugs me from behind* (We were stopped at an intersection.)