When to tell your kids about sex...

[swindland]

What do you guys think would be the appropiate age to talk to kids about sex.

[socalheart]

I think girls should be talked to about sex and such around age 12, depending on when her menstrual cycle begins. I don't know about boys.

[dk]

Boys are already talking about it by the time they're twelve. Who would you rather they learn about it from? Their friends, or you? That's an honest question. Personally, I learned more about sex just from guy talk growing up than I did from my parents or those embarassing sex ed classes in school.

[keera4]

I would say around 10 - 12yrs old for both boys and girls. Or when you start noticing that they have an interest in things of that nature. My mom gave my sister and I the talk when I was 10 my sister was 12, she had just gotten her period and had a sudden strong interest in boys.

[socalheart]

According to my mom, I was chasing boys at age six. :p Heh. I don't know if that counts though. I never caught one.

[ryukyuboi]

Sex education should start when kids begin to ask questions. Reproduction of life is covered as early kindergarten with the growing of plants and seeds.

Being honest and factual is good. Of course your responses will depend a lot on the age/maturity of the child, and what you believe the child will be able understand.

[atb35]

As far as talking about actual reproduction, I agree with Ryukyoboi...when they start asking about it, explain it to them. If they dont ask by say age ten I would talk to them about it.

I started talking about sex as far as what it was and what it all means when my kids were old enough to watch movies and understand them. Ive never sheltered my kids from anything, I never lied to them are 'fibbed' to protect their innocence.

[Tempestuous]

I don't know that there is a "set" age.
Each kid is different and develops differently and you should take into consideration where they are.

We are.....okay maybe more so me, more open with our discussion of sexuality. My kids have known since they were little that it was a penis not a wee-wee or a pee-pee.
I remember the littlest being two and knowing boys had penis's and girls did not. He actually would drill me....so and so does NOT have a penis, but Me & Dad do! As we sit in the stall as he is taking care of business and every woman in the bathroom is BUSTING out laughing. :D

I think you start when they are ready, when they are asking questions and such you give them the info as they are ready for it.
Start with the basic boys & girls are different from each other and then build as they are ready.

One of our kids was 5 and knew the basics of reproduction (we had these baby replicas for a part of this group I volunteered with) but he didn't know all the details at that age.
(yeah could just see him schooling a group of playmates whose parents would prefer to do the educating of their children....when they are 35;))

But the next one was not at that place of curiosity at 5 so I didn't go talking to him about it until he got to the point he was asking or interested.

Something to keep in mind for consideration was this article I read (think it was featured on msn or something) that said 10 was the new 16.
So at 10 your kid is likely thinking about sex, wondering, curious, and dealing with many of the things you were at 16.

Like someone else mentioned I would talk to them as the opportunity arises cause you would rather them learn from you than get misinformed by friends.

I think of that scene in Knocked up where the guys are talking and they are saying it defies gravity so a woman can't get pregnant if on top. :) Those are the kinds of conversations our kids could be learning from if we don't step up and talk with them. :eek:

[okiprince07]

i think 13 is best

[okiprince07]

i want kids too

[Fonze]

I say 11 or 12. You should tell them about it and the consequences of having sex and the pleasures and other reason of having sex. Tell them when they're ready to ask you about it but that you would rather have them wait.


Tell them were babies come from by 7 years old and teach them their penis is a penis and vagina is a vagina as soon as they learn how to speak.

[okisteve]

Boys become men.


A 3-year-old boy examined his testicles while taking a bath.
>
>"Mom", he asked, "Are these my brains?"
>
>"Not yet," she replied

[Tony Stacks]

Boys become men.


A 3-year-old boy examined his testicles while taking a bath.
>
>"Mom", he asked, "Are these my brains?"
>
>"Not yet," she replied



LMAO that was a good one.

[breezer76]

Don't wait too long as it may be too late. My daughter is 10 any she know more than I have told her. I was suprised! She came home talking about all sorts of things she learned at school (from friends), I had no idea she even knew that stuff.

[Galina]

Boys become men.


A 3-year-old boy examined his testicles while taking a bath.
>
>"Mom", he asked, "Are these my brains?"
>
>"Not yet," she replied

ROFLMAO..That is sooo wicked

[Onlooker]

I don't think there is a set age. I depends on the child and their maturity. Also you can get clue from what they tell you.I have a 8 yr old girl and some questions she ask me I have to respond in a more clinical(medical) sense.

[TheLastDon]

When your daughter is pregnant than it is too late for sure.

[Isaak Brodsky]

My eight-year-old daughter came home from school the other day, and asked her mom, "What does 'dick' mean?"

My wife was dumbfounded. She just distracted the little girl by changing the subject very quickly.

[socalheart]

"HEY LOOK A PTERODACTYLI!"
LOL. :D That's what we say to change the subject around here. heh.

[okisteve]

Next time she or you should take advantage of the opening and start telling her what stuff means. A little at a time is the best way to go - kids will usually raise the next question by themselves.

When I was about 7 or 8 or maybe 10 my best friend and I were walking with his mother, who was a very with-it and level-headed lady (still is at 93!). He said something like "... (a friend of ours) said the work "****" yesterday, mom...." That led to the whole birds and bees story, which took me by surprise and required some time to digest, but otherwise I might never have heard it from my own mom.

[okisteve]

"****" is the "F" word. I didn't realize Big Brother is watching this forum ;)

[swindland]

My eight-year-old daughter came home from school the other day, and asked her mom, "What does 'dick' mean?"

My wife was dumbfounded. She just distracted the little girl by changing the subject very quickly.

ahahahahahaha that's funny. my daughter saw one of my good friends son penis cause she was changing him and she look so confused and asked "mommy what is that thing sticking out?" LOL i just explained to her it is a boy part and she's like "OH its weird looking!!" :w00t:

[socalheart]

LOL i just explained to her it is a boy part and she's like "OH its weird looking!!" :w00t:

LOL :D that's funny too. I haven't thought abuot what to tell our kid yet. I figure I have at least a few years before she can even talk. heh. I just know that telling her is my job. :rolleyes:

[Tempestuous]

The "talk" Conversation starters (http://midwestteensexshow.com/2007/06/24/mtss-episode-2-abstinence/)


This site is causing a huge stir I guess.
Their goal is to get parents & kids actually discussing sex and the surrounding details.

[socalheart]

After the Spears girl got herself knocked up at sixteen, (and I mean that in the most deragatory way possible) talking to your female child is closer to the top of the parents' To Do list these days. The thing is, she obviously was given "the talk" at an early age, considering her older sister's image is about selling sex in music. She simply decided to go the way of her sister's whore image.

[okisteve]

I'll bet it was an economic decision on her part (because she's obviously a smart girl:). Some PR type must have told her she's be worth a mint to the rags, so she just decided to get pregnant. Makes cents to me.

[Jrocka83]

When you catch them masterbating..:ohmy: