My dd is 9, just got some books from the library on Reproduction, etc. and read them to her...she giggled part of the time and said..."this is kind of wierd".
I don't think any of her friends know yet, so I told her that she is not to talk about it. It is up to her friends parents to discuss it with them.
How old were your kids?
Let me clarify...when I said "The Talk" it was just an expression...before now I had already discussed puberty, how girls get a period, etc. The last book we read was about the mechanics of sex. She had started asking me what "sex" was since she had heard it on TV or elsewhere...
She also asked me what the "F" word was....
so...this is what motivated me to get some books to fill in the missing parts of her knowledge. I just told her the F word was a crude name for sex and to never say it.
It's not one talk. It's many, whenever there are questions. I plan to buy DD a version of the Care and Keeping of You book when she's about 9. That seemed to be a good age for SD. In 5th grade they have sex ed in school, so I'd rather talk to her first.
My daughter is 9, just finished 4th grade and they talked in school about periods and body changes and we've been talking (age appropriately) since she was 4-5 years old. It's been pretty easy for her to ask questions now about stuff. Next will be showing her tampons in the sink, not that she'll use them anytime soon, but I remember doing that and freaking out - I don't want her to freak out! We have a great book series "God's Design for Sex" - different levels for different age groups. And we always say this is an ongoing dialogue, not a one time conversation!
I have a 10 year-old daughter. I started talking with my daughter about her body and such as soon as she was able to ask questions, which was about the time she learned to talk... I do not agree with the concept of "the talk". We need to have an open, on-going, conversations with our children about our bodies, their functions, puberty, relationships, respect, and sex. I don't think a week goes by where she doesn't ask me a new question now that puberty is in progress for her. Some of her classmates already have their periods, and we're expecting hers within this next year, based on the signs.
The American Girl "The Care and Keeping of You" books are excellent. They have helped her ask good questions and be aware of the changes she should expect. It's nice to have her own resource and not just me to find out these things. They do no cover sex, however. The "It's so Amazing" and "It's Perfectly Normal" books are pretty good for that topic.
I do not tell her that she can't talk with her friends about this topic. That would make it seem somehow secret or dirty. She needs to know that all this is normal, natural, and that all her friends are going through the same changes.
My daughter was four when she wanted to know where babies came form and I told her.
for our school district, the girls have their 1st class in 3rd grade.
the full sex ed class is in 4th grade, with the boys having their 1st class too.
I know many 10yo girls already cycling. So sad.
It is not "a" talk... it is ongoing conversation from day 1 answering questions at age apropriateness and talking about things.
At 9, rest assured she has heard things at school.
I think it is good that you are talking with her now and it is crucial that you continue open dialoge with her. You will be forever grateful if you do, especially as she gets older.
I am sure you would prefer her hear facts from you vs the hearsay she does hear at school. I agree that she should keep her conversations with you regarding sex, reproduction, etc confidential because there are some parents out there who just don't communicate at all and leave it up to whatever happens for their children to find out and that is sad.
If you are embarassed to talk, do it in the car while you are driving, etc. Youa re on the right path, just keep it up and keep those lines of communication wide open.
He was (is) 9.
He has been getting info all along...body part terminology, gestation, birth....
He just didn't know the "mechanics" yet.
I connected the final dot this year (tab a/slot b).
I told him (like you) that not everyone knows, but I wanted him to have facts, not pick up bits and pieces on the "street"!
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8 years old.. But also continued to remind and answer questions any time anything was asked or referenced to. It is not a one time conversation.
Good for you, your child will appreciate your honesty and willingness to discuss all sort of things with you.
My mom didn't talk with me until I was eleven, but I heard from Tv and school when I was like 8 .
I have told my son (now ten) little things a long the way that he could understand. Not too much information of course but little things. I actually started when he was pretty young. Maybe around six or seven? Most of it he didn't understand of course, but I told him anyway. When he was almost ten, he started to ask me a lot of questions and I answered him truthfully and said that when he has anymore questions that I am always here to answer them. I want him to hear it from me instead of some kid at school that doesn't have the right information. He pretty much now knows most of it, but I'm sure that he will have more questions. Good luck to you. I know it's not easy.
between 10 and 11 I talked a lot about periods and body changing, then 11 to 12 was about sex and in appropiate touching. She got her period at 12. We were well rounded by then. I have a 9 yr old and have not started thinking about it. She knows about " issues " with the sis, but not sure she really understands it. I think summer prior to 5th grade will be ready to share with her some stuff.
