How would you answer the sex question?!?

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   Triplet Momposted 14 years ago

   How would you or did you answer the "sex" question asked by a young child?

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      Princessaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I would ask the child what she thinks is the answer first of all, as a way to know what is she expecting as an answer and as a way to judge her maturity.  Like they said here, sometimes we can completely misunderstand their question!
      
      You do not want to be too simplistic with your answer -after all she is asking you because YOU are the one who knows-.  But you do not want too give a too advanced answer neither if she is not ready yet.

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   Mishaposted 14 years ago

   A simple answer to exactly what was asked about. Sometimes you need to ask a couple of questions first to understand what exactly was asked, it is not always what you think

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      Triplet Momposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Misha I agree completely it is sometimes funny what kids are thinking and it can be completely different then what you think. I try to be straightforward with my children and the responses are hilarious.  I have already been asked once but the discussion went in a completely different direction then I expected.  So I am waiting for the next time it is asked.

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      J. Leaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      So true Misha.  My little brother once asked my mom if whore was spelled with a W.  He had no interest in discussing what it meant, he just wanted to prove to his friend that he was right about the spelling!

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   AEvansposted 14 years ago

   Depending on the age honesty and open as it is never good to lie to a child so we should always tell the truth. Sex is not a dirty thing, it is a wonderful thing however they need to understand what can happen and what can be caught.

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      Triplet Momposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Yes I am honest and open, not embarrased at all, just was not sure how much information to share with children that are young.  But I think being simple and direct would be the best response.

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         AEvansposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I couldn't agree with you more as I have already had to explain and treaded lightly with my own son as he is so inquisitive.

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   ripplemakerposted 14 years ago

   Hi triplet mom, I'm curious what exactly was the question? 
   
   I remember one of our teachers was explaining about the female and male reproductive systems.  And then when they reached the part of making babies and how an egg and a sperm form a baby, the student asked, "How did the sperm and the egg meet?"
   
   Our teacher said, she went blank with that one. LOL

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      Triplet Momposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Well for me it was when I was driving them to an early doctor's appointment. I was barely awake really and not paying attention.  But on the radio they said the word sex and my son asked, "Oh yeah what is sex?".  Being funny I said well we are going to the doctor you can ask her so his response was, "So its a medical condition?".  I started to explain and then their favorite song came on. I really hadn't gotten far in the conversation but I am certain it will come up again. I have always been honest just not sure how far you really need to take it when they are young.  But I tend to agree with Misha  as well, simple and direct is best.

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         RDHayesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         You had better address that with them asap! They might grow up thinking sex is a medical condition. Case in point, when my daughter was 3 or 4 she caught me trying to scurry into my room after taking a shower, I had to cross the hall to get to my room. I was hurried and opened the door as I was trying to secure my towel. Well she saw me in my full nakedness and promptly asked, Daddy what is that? Without hesitation I said, that's my penis and went about my business.
         
         Well she understood that as Peanuts, and to this day has an aversion towards any kind of nuts.

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            Triplet Momposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Oh yes I did explain that it is not a medical condition and got as far as telling them that it is something that occurs between two adults however I was interrupted by the song.  I think I would have an aversion to nuts as well. That is why I try to be open and honest with my children.

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   Houellebecqposted 14 years ago

   It's really important to address the question is a simple, matter-of-fact way. I remember the reply my mother gave me was "It's what married people do and when you get married I'll tell you".
   Well screw you mom, the wedding is coming up and I'm pretty sure I've figured it out by now. HAHA. My mother was absolutely no help but you can be. Try saying that it's a relationship activity between adults (...kind of like hugging? ) and that is how children are made. You can be vague without lying.

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      Triplet Momposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Great suggestion.  Yes I really don't want to wait for the wedding day to let them know what sex is that would be a bit awkward. Lol.

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   webismineposted 14 years ago

   It's really hard to deal with and the cultural background plays a role!

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   dingdongposted 14 years ago

   What is that sex question? Is there an example?

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      ngurecoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      These days there are endless ads on TV with the subject AIDS, Sex and Condoms.
      
      You can get a question any time on either one of them.

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   Ardieposted 14 years ago

   I had to answer a similar (sorta) question for my daughter when she was 6 years old.  She asked what 'sex' means and if it was a bad word or not.  I was simple and direct and explained the term in the case of a relationship between a couple that is in love.  I should have prodded her more because she was asking about the term meaning "gender" and I got her very confused.  It turns out her teacher told her about the gender definition and an older girl on the bus later told her it was a bad word and she would tell if my daughter said it again.  Be sure to ask more questions to determine exactly how much information the child is asking for   Good luck!

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   LelahKimballposted 14 years ago

   The first thing you should always do is find out what they are talking about.  You then should answer plainly and simply, in age-appropriate terms.  I had a friend whose son asked what sex was and it was exactly what you'd think--not gender.  She simply said it was a way a man and a woman expressed their love to each other.

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    goldentoadposted 14 years ago

    I'd spank them and lock them up in a closet for listening to mommy and daddy's conversation.

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       Pestposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Toad   I never even got the sex talk.  I thought you just peed out of the thing until a couple years ago.  I thought women just spontaneously reproduced. 
       How to answer the question?...Go ask your mom.

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          Pestposted 14 years agoin reply to this

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       Triplet Momposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       lol GT - I am sending my kids directly to you the next time they ask.  Hey they could use a good spanking!!  I don't think that will traumatize them too badly about the act!

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    Rich_Idposted 14 years ago

    I would want to know in what context he heard the word "sex".  Were they talking about the male or the female sex, or about the sex of a child, or about having sex.
    
    If it were the latter, why shy away from the chance to explain how babies are born.

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    TravelMonkeyposted 14 years ago

    I'm not looking forward to answering the question. It would depend on how old they where anyway, any younger than 8, I would just say it is a form of yoga or exercise. Worked for me lol

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    VENUGOPAL SIVAGNAposted 14 years ago

    No child will ask sex questions unless it sees something strange with men and woman. It is better to keep off the children from such surroundings. We should pour good things into its mind before bad things get in.  Having a lot of commitments to the future society, a child should not be enlightened in this field.

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    skydiverposted 14 years ago

    Not looking forward to having to answer that. I bet it will get asked at the most awkard possible time aswell, like when eating out or at a family event! It would depend on their age, but my little one is only 7 months so I've got time to craft an ingenious answer!

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