Years ago, "My" Kev, and I, were presented with a "challenging" situation. Kev's youngest sister was divorced, and came to live with us "temporally". Not long after, due to other circumstances, her three sons also arrived. They were 3, 4, and 5.
"Temporary" turned into about 6yr. A very "tender" time for her three boys.
All that time, the guys knew about "My" Kev's, and I, relationship. There was nothing "hidden" from them. HOWEVER, we were always sensitive about how they might bond with us. And, we didn't want to have any "undue" influence with them. We knew they weren't going to be with us forever. We always kept in mind that, eventually, they were going to be leaving us. Accordingly, they didn't always understand those times we would suddenly become a bit "remote" with them.
We weren't trying to shield them from the "Gay thing". We were, however, trying to gently shield them from bonding with us too hard. It wasn't easy!
Eventually, yes, they, and their mom, did move away. What happened with them, in those following years, is not, unfortunately, a totally pretty story. However, we both believe that what we managed to provide them, during their very formative years, helped them emerge into the Great Guys they are Today!
Now, they are in their early twenties. One is married, two have kids. And, we're expecting another wedding this summer. All three have evolved into very sexy, "Hot", straight Guys. And, both of us are very proud of all three of them!
Did we "shield" them from "Gayness"? No! At least not entirely. Did we "hold back" during those intimate moments when they were "hormone intense" and looking for instances of "guy on guy" bonding? Yes! And, there were many times when, in their "innocence", all three of them managed to (unknowingly) break our hearts. So, Yes!, we were consciously "shielding" them.
Although we both knew, that "Gayness" was not something that could be "controlled", was not a Real choice, we still refrained from having a possible influence with these, at the time, very "vulnerable", easily influenced, guys.
So ... yeah! ... I guess we were "shielding" them to a certain extent.
Keep smilin'!!


Chaz
