When and How We Had the Sex Talk
My child initiated the talk when I was pregnant with her younger sibling. I used a couple of books including How Babies Are Made.
How the Sex Talk Went
It was very natural and I made it matter of fact. I only answered the questions she asked and kept it at her level. I let her know that she could ask me anything, any time. She took it in stride and came back a few days later with some follow up questions. She brings it up from time to time when we see an expectant mom.
Advice
- Don't think of it as one big talk. Give information and keep the door open for future discussions. You want kids to know that you are a resource for information about sex and relationships.
- Keep it at their level and answer the questions they are asking. If they ask something like, "what's 69?" you can ask them gently why they are asking instead of feeling that you have to explain the term.
- Don't wait too long! By the time some kids are 9 or 10 they are too uncomfortable to be as receptive as they would've been earlier. If you give them basic information when they ask for it, you can add to that knowledge later.
