When to start talking to your kids about sex

I was watching Noggin with my 5-year-old and remembered that until December of 2007, The N started at 6pm and Noggin signed off... well, at least it did on cable in Ohio; I don't know about other places.

I am very careful about what I let him watch on TV, but one day I didn't get to the living room until 6:30 and walked in to find two teens kissing. He had been in his room playing, and I thought about the day I would begin discussing sexual topics with him.

What age are people talking to their kids on average? He starts school next year and I'd like to do it before then because I've heard some schools introduce such lessons as early as kindergarten. Is the school required to notify the parents before? I'd like to be the first one he hears it from so I can help as much as possible with his questions or fears.

 

When my oldest son was in kindergarten, they never introduced anything like that. Heck, he's in 3rd grade now and they still haven't, which is fine with me.

Needless to say, my twins are now in kindergarten (5 years old) and that's not going on with them either. If it were, you had better believe I'd be up at that school giving hell. They're kids. I know we're sexual beings, but there is such a thing as too soon in my opinion.

Personally, I would say middle school is more acceptable for sex education; elementary school, no. But that's just me.

 

I got sex ed. at grade 5, but I asked my mom where babies come from and got the info at 6.

 

i am 23 now. we didnt really get any "sex ed" classes, we just had (when i was in the 5th grade) a really brief, one day thing where they told us about the anatomy of males and females.

I think the age varies from child to child (like most things)....but im no parent mind you. I just think every person is different, but there will be a time when they are mature enough (probably 2nd-5th or 6th grade at the latest) to understand the human reproductive process....you as the mother should know when this time should come, as you know your child the best...if they are mature enough to handle adult things, and dont blurt out or cause fits, then i think you should sit them down one day and explain them what you feel is needed to be explained...its only a matter of time, i personally feel lile the earlier you get it out of the way, the better. Simply because this way, the child gets exposed at an earlier age and begins to mature faster....but thats just my opinon...

 

Kids don't really interact with each other on that level till about age 6. Even then, its a matter of curiosity rather than hormones. I'd sit'em down as soon as I feel they're ready. Everybody is different. Kids too.

By age 8, things are certainly beginning to stir. Biologically and mentally.

Its time for basic anatomy at the very least.

By age 10, they get the full monty.

Usually more of a hurdle for the parents than the kids.

Nudist parents don't have to deal with this on the same level as other people. Their kids are already comfortable with the opposite sex.



x

 

Thanks for the responses. I think I'll just ask the school when they introduce anything related to the difference between boys and girls and then go from there. We aren't nudists, but are comfortable with nudity and would change clothes in front of him until he was almost 3. Now, he sees my husband undress and right out of the shower, but me only in my bra and panties - he started making comments about my boobs, so I explained what they were and then stopped allowing him to see me completely nude.

Other than boobs, he still doesn't know that there is a difference between boy parts an girl parts. I kinda like it that way, but I know of families with one boy and one girl close in age that understand the differences from a very young age due to changing and/or bathing together. I dunno. I guess I'll talk about anatomy with him when he is 7-8 or when he starts asking, whatever comes first. It won't be hard for me, but I don't think he is mature enough now.

 

dont get me wrong, but i dont think a school would have the slightest idea of what is the right time for YOUR child to learn about sexual anatomy. I think kids are smarter than adults think, but like i said earlier, everyone is different so its hard to tell....some kids are fucking assholes...i think 7-8 is fine...it cant make that much difference?

 

A few years back there was a young lil girl who had a baby at 9 years old. It all depends on what your comfortable with and by all means if and when the school teaches that, have them notify you , that way ther eyou can educate him/her before they do.I got educated in grade 9, 2 hrs. not a big deal. But in reality it is!!

Children NEED to see the whole picture before it does too much damage. Todays society is going downhill

peace!!

 

I worked in a preschool for a while 2-1/2 to 6 years old and they were already figuring stuff out on their own. humans are sexual. no big deal. talk to them about it when they ask. if you don't make a big deal about it then it's not a big deal. it is just sex after all. everybody pees and poops near everybody fucks... no biggy.

 

yeah, it really depends on the child. some start out more curious than other, some are just very observant and you can't hide anything from them. but in a healthy family, these things tend to work themselves out. frankness, a lack of embarassment or shame, makes it easier on both you and your child.

there's been a few times when these things have come up, and it's a matter of being able to know your child's mind and what they're ready to know.

 

...never!!! especially since we made a 'deal' that I'd be the one to have the 'talk' with her.

but really, I think it depends on the kid.
Like my second youngest brother, who's 8, knows the basics (differences, men + woman = sex(though, I doubt what sex is, but probably a basic idea) = babies... anyway, he's always been open with things, hasn't really talked about anything too sexual.
My younger sister however, knew about the same amount at the same ages, but when she was around 6 she started asking questions about relationships, boys, babies...