#burnsteem25 #club75: The Diary Game July 13: My Son's Tuli (Circumcision)

Every Filipino knows that summer vacation specially for kids is not only spent on vacation and going to the beach but also "tuli". Tuli is a Filipino rite of male circumcision, for such a long time all Filipino male kids have circumcision before they reach adolescence. It has a long historical tradition and is considered an obligatory rite of passage for males; those who have not undergone the ritual are ridiculed and labeled supot or pisot by their peers.

For boys before they reach high school they should be circumcised or they will be a target of bullying. Well it identifies them as a person, they become a teenager when they get circumcised.

My son who is 10 years old has already been asking me since he was 9 years old. He wanted to get tuli not because he felt pressured or bullied but he wanted to experience it same as his friends. I also told them that most kids after tuli either gain weight or become taller. It was like they develop physically.

Early today he asked us again and so my husband and I thought that since it is already the end of the school year he will have enough time to recover.

We inquired and find out that the cost for circumcision is 2,000 pesos. Well I thought it was a bit pricey but we don't get free tuli these days not like before. Well might as well pay for a safe operation.

After waiting for 30 minutes he was done, the smile on his face was just unmeasurable. He was so proud of himself and I couldn't be prouder for my son. I didn't see him cry or get scared. I only get to have few pictures of him being operated since it wasn't allowed.

I couldn't believe that my son, my baby is now almost a teenager. I feel a bit sad but happy, sad that one day he will no longer be that baby boy who always hugs and kisses me. Or he would rather spend more time with his friends or even get a girlfriend.

The doctor gave us medicine including pain reliever. He told us to let him go to the beach since the sea has a natural healing power. So after two days we brought him to the public beach nearby.

He then soaked his wound for 30 mins so we can remove the bandage as how the doctor told us. Amazingly we were able to remove it and then headed home.

As a mother it was so hard to relate in this situation. It was my first time and I didn't know what to do. But being imperfect as a parent gives me the opportunity to learn and unlearn. My son was taken cared by my husband, but still requested for me to clean him everytime.

There are many things we need to learn along the way as we become parents. Don't worry when you can not do things perfectly, do things together with your kids., and discover it together.

I invite @kyrir1234, @steemitcebu ,@traderpaw and @sweetspicy to share their diary game today.