What Age Should You Teach Your Child About Sex?

1. 59

   Menjia_Roseposted 13 years ago

   Why is something so natural as sex so hard to discuss with your child/children? As a parent would you describe their body parts with silly names like dolphin, rabbit, jewels,and ect.? Then, these names would be appropriate for ages 5-9 Va-G for girls, and Pen for boys.

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      ar.coltonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      About sex or sexuality? I think it should happen the same time they learn about everything else. They need to know that it's not okay to whip their bits out in public or try to touch someone's breasts, they need to know that grown ups like privacy when they use the bathroom or take a shower. These are all questions of sexuality and they'll learn about it no matter what. They'll either learn it's something to hide or nothing to freak out about. I don't think it needs to be a big deal.

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   2. 99

      leahleflerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Dolphin and rabbit?
      
      I think I just snorted tea up my nose.
      
      We call things by their proper names in our house.

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      Justjedposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Wao! I have not given it a taught at all.

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2. 99

   leahleflerposted 13 years ago

   Also, which is the dolphin and which is the rabbit?
   
   I suppose the dolphin would be the boy, but the rabbit? Not so sure.

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   1. 75

      ar.coltonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      lol. Not sure what's wrong with the proper names. Way to confuse kids. What happens at the zoo?

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   2. 59

      Menjia_Roseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      the rabbit would be for for girls due to the puffy tail and a rabbit is more aware of their surroundings as well. LOL, your comical...you had me dying laughing...Thanks you for your post response. Loved It!!!!

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3. 60

   Monisajdaposted 13 years ago

   We always did proper names in our family, even when they were very little. My older dd who is more mature for her age got some information on sexuality at the time when we talked about what is a proper touch, how to respond to strangers and such. For children to be safe they need to have some understanding why unsafe behaviors are unsafe.

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4. 65

   Greek Oneposted 13 years ago

   If he is a boy, 14...
   
   If she is a girl... just after menopause, or when she leaves the convent to go into the retirement home

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5. 60

   momsterposted 13 years ago

   I would say when they start asking what the animals are doing when they are mating. I just tell them that it takes a boy and girl to make a baby but I dont give details. When they get a little older than use more details until they are old enough to understand it.

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6. 67

   Joy56posted 13 years ago

   no good giving them too much info at too young an age.  If you are well tuned in with your kids, you will no when is it the right time..... I think.....

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   1. 59

      Menjia_Roseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      It's something your child will or is going to be exposed to when they start their first year in school. Isn't it funny how school's have those big play house in every classroom for every child to play house during recess? Then, as a parent we wonder why our /child/children come home wanting to play house with their younger siblings.

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7. 65

   Anne Pettitposted 13 years ago

   Answer questions simply and honestly.  No nicknames.  This is confusing enough without silly words.  Most kids just want a simple and direct answer.  When they are ready for more, they will return.

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8. 80

   KellyPittmanposted 13 years ago

   I think it's different for every child.  The one thing that's important to remember is if you aren't telling them anything, they are hearing from their friends! 
   My daughter was only 8 years old when she started asking questions because of a friend at school. YES EIGHT!!!  THRID GRADE!!!   Of course I felt it was too early, but if she's asking ME then I'd rather be the one to tell her than for her to get this from other 8 year olds!   
   I went through the best I could using the proper names (before we had nicknames for parts too - TT and PP)  I tried to keep it kind of like a science lesson.  The most important thing to me, no matter how hard it was, was to let her feel comfortable with asking me so as she got older and had more questions (and oh my goodness i know she will) she wouldn't be afraid to ask me.

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   1. 59

      Menjia_Roseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Well stated by a parent that has already experienced "the asking", This is a stage most parents don't realize. If your not telling your child, someone elses child will tell them. Why risk having your child experience things far to early from your lacking to educate them? Stolen moments can never be recaptured, inform your children that there are other children their ages that are more advanced. Let them know it's not okay to be kissed by another student in school, it's not okay to be touched, and if another student do this to them then tell the teacher; something is definitely happening in that child's household.

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      1. 80

         KellyPittmanposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Hi.  Yes, you are most definitely right.  I didn't want to make my comment too long, but the little girl (my daughter's friend) that was talking about it at school actually was abused by her father.  My daughter asked, and I quote, "what is the hump?"  When i asked her why she wanted to know she told me because her friend at school was sad because her dad is going to jail for doing the hump on her.  So as you can see, my talk with my daughter went MUCH further than just the basics.  We went over that and we talked about abuse and all that stuff.  It was VERY HARD.  Especially at this age!  Oh!  And I called the school to report this, of course.  I wasn't sure athorities were aware, but they assured me that the little girl was already removed from the home and in foster care.  It's so sad what happens so yes, we really should be ready to have talks even this early or earlier! It's so hard as a parent but discussing topics like this can help us ready ourselves.

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9. 57

   nutriblogposted 13 years ago

   Yup this kind of conversation with our children is somehow hard. I do use the science lesson example that Kelly mentioned. I guess it becomes harder the more you avoid the subject. If you start talking to them early enough about this, then it should be easier to deal with at a later time. My kids are not there yet I think, but I do talk to my six year old using an anatomy book.

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      Druid Dudeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      You'd be surprised how much they know and at what age they are conscious of "it".

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10. 60

    Juls2posted 13 years ago

    I too agree, parents should be ready to talk to their children about sex.  I've never opened the topic, but my kids have asked and when they do, I answer - age appropriate and if they want more information, then they ask another question.

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11. 60

    Mark Ewbieposted 13 years ago

    I was 35 before I dared raise the subject with my daughter.  Probably too young.

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