when your kids learn about sex from friends (or at home)?

[Anonymous]

My kids (5 & 7) know the basics about how babies get made. We've had casual conversations about that since they were about 3. I don't think they have any concept that sex is also a recreational activity or have given much thought to the mechanics of it. I think they know enough that it wouldn't be 'news' if a kid was talking about it at school, but are still pretty vague on the specifics.

[Anonymous]

My kids knew what we consider to be the basics by preschool, and it's an ongoing evolving discussion from then on.

[Anonymous]

I haven't sat down with my son to specifically explain to him the mechanics of sex. But he will hear something on TV or from other people and ask questions and I explain it to him. I was watching something and didn't even know he heard it and he asked "what is sex." And I just responded, "it's how you make babies." and he said "oh" and went on about his day. I plan to not stigmatize sex or make it a taboo. I want him to know it is part of life and how to be smart about it. I also want him to come to me with any questions he has.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last summer (following third grade) I sat my daughter down to talk about sex, etc. and it surprised me because she had a very clear understanding about what it was based on what she had learned from friends.
Now there's a controversy going on at school where a number of 4th graders (not in my chiild's class) have been role playing sexual positioning with each other. This is an upper class NW DC school.

When did your kids first hear about sex from friends? Or hopefully from you?

I remember TEACHING my friends about sex when I was maybe 7. We played at "having sex" also. Fully clothed I !hink, though I got my younger brother to try it naked. In case you're worried, it didn't work

Don't all kids do this?

No!

[Anonymous]

My son learned at 10 from a neighbor - an only child with divorced parent- husband had teens from previous marriage and as in many only child scenarios, the child was also treated more like a third adult in his family. He told son about sex, that Santa wasn't real, all of life's secrets-- anyhow, he told my son but his version was that the man pees in the woman's bottom to make a baby. So sadly his version was grossly off. And my son was not at all interested in the story except for how gross it was. We told him that is not how to make a baby and left it at that. If he wanted more details, we would have explained how. But he never brought up. Figure when he is interested, he'll ask. His friends are socially immature ( except the kid who old him the story)... so it's not an issue yet.
Our pediatrician said don't offer too much unsolicited info. He said when a kid "asks what time it is, don't give him history of the watch".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last summer (following third grade) I sat my daughter down to talk about sex, etc. and it surprised me because she had a very clear understanding about what it was based on what she had learned from friends.
Now there's a controversy going on at school where a number of 4th graders (not in my chiild's class) have been role playing sexual positioning with each other. This is an upper class NW DC school.

When did your kids first hear about sex from friends? Or hopefully from you?

There must be some low class, poor kids going to that school that you don't know about! Clearly, your high class, rich snowflakes would know nothing about sex and if they did, would be too well bred to speak about it at school! Those wretched poor kids, though! Root them out!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son learned at 10 from a neighbor - an only child with divorced parent- husband had teens from previous marriage and as in many only child scenarios, the child was also treated more like a third adult in his family. He told son about sex, that Santa wasn't real, all of life's secrets-- anyhow, he told my son but his version was that the man pees in the woman's bottom to make a baby. So sadly his version was grossly off. And my son was not at all interested in the story except for how gross it was. We told him that is not how to make a baby and left it at that. If he wanted more details, we would have explained how. But he never brought up. Figure when he is interested, he'll ask. His friends are socially immature ( except the kid who old him the story)... so it's not an issue yet.
Our pediatrician said don't offer too much unsolicited info. He said when a kid "asks what time it is, don't give him history of the watch".

Yeah - my daughter is an only child and she tells her friends crazy stuff about sex all the time! It's hilarious how stupidly gullible some kids are. Their parents, too.

[Anonymous]

My son came home in second grade repeating some things he'd heard (some kinda crazy, I posted here about it). I went over things with him and provided correct information, as well as explained that these conversations are for parents and kids to have....not appropriate conversations between kids.

In third grade, he came home asking again about what sex is. "Isn't it just when two people are naked?" Again provided basic, factual information. But then he asked what sexual abuse is.

An older student in neighborhood is learning about this health (as I understand it) and discussed with my son. That required additional correction to what he heard, and another reminder that these conversations should be between parents and kids. And that I amALWAYS happy to answer any questions he has.

[Anonymous]

When my DD was in Kingergarten she told me a girl and boy in her class were showing her parts to each other behind a tree.

[Anonymous]

We talk regularly about puberty and genitals and babies. She hasn't asked and I haven't yet explained about PIV sex. I guess that'll happen soon. She's 8. What words did you all use to explain? Just a simple - man puts his penis into the woman's body"?