Anonymous wrote:It should NOT be a one time talk. I absolutely despise the idea of the awkward, sitting on the couch discussion.

Rather, to promote healthy sexuality, it should be an ongoing discussion beginning when they are young. We started when they were three, discussing body parts, differences between males and females, inappropriate touching etc. and began the discussions of sex in the media, etc. around eight. As they entered middle school, that transitioned into conversations about THEMSELVES, how to prevent STDs, pregnancies, respect, emotions, etc.

This is my approach so far.

Probably around 3 or 4 was the first time. We add more details as they grow older.

It should NOT be a one time talk. I absolutely despise the idea of the awkward, sitting on the couch discussion.

Rather, to promote healthy sexuality, it should be an ongoing discussion beginning when they are young. We started when they were three, discussing body parts, differences between males and females, inappropriate touching etc. and began the discussions of sex in the media, etc. around eight. As they entered middle school, that transitioned into conversations about THEMSELVES, how to prevent STDs, pregnancies, respect, emotions, etc.

Are there any parents who stumbled upon their kids trying to access porn?

"Birds and Bees" is too vague of a question.

With us, it started very young about inappropriate touching and the like. Closer to 5th grade, we started talking about puberty and body changes to add to what school was already teaching. When the kids got in 7th/8th grade, we had very explicit discussions about sex, pregnancy, and STDs. The summer between my son's freshman and sophomore years, I had a very explicit conversation with him about his gf and expectations. They've been dating for 4 years now. I said that as parents, we think they are too early for sex and won't allow it, went into STDs and pregnancy in great detail. But I also told him places where he can buy condoms if they were going to be active. I think it they were very good two-way conversations with our kids at every stage.

So in short, I don't think you have one "Birds and Bees" talk with your kids. It is a lifelong conversation.

My kids are 6 and 9 and we talk all the time about what's appropriate to touch (on other people), how to know if someone wants you to do something or not, respect, boundaries, etc.

I covered all the mechanics of reproduction with my 9 yo a year or two ago and bought some children's books and leave them out for the dc to read. But it's ongoing..they forget and you need to keep having conversations as new things crop up. My 6 yo is very interested in how gay couples have babies, for example.

Going into middle school.

I googled the human body and explained all the parts.

Going into HS I discuss respect, emotions, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It isn't one discussion, it is an ongoing process. Luckily our Congregation has a program that is in 1st grade, 5th grade and 8th grade and the trained teachers are great resources.

How old is your child?

DS is 10

Where is he in school? In Virginia, they get eh b&B talk in 5th grade. I would ask the teachers what books they might recommend. Plus, look on this thread:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/372975.page

School had puberty class last year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It isn't one discussion, it is an ongoing process. Luckily our Congregation has a program that is in 1st grade, 5th grade and 8th grade and the trained teachers are great resources.

How old is your child?

DS is 10

Where is he in school? In Virginia, they get eh b&B talk in 5th grade. I would ask the teachers what books they might recommend. Plus, look on this thread:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/372975.page

Starting around age 4, when they asked. Since then, ongoing. My kids are 16 and 13.

by age 10, I heard the "birds and bees" talk (actually, it was more about men and women) many times from my classmates in elementary school, and it was back in the 70's. if you wait a little longer there will be not much left to say

Anonymous wrote:It isn't one discussion, it is an ongoing process. Luckily our Congregation has a program that is in 1st grade, 5th grade and 8th grade and the trained teachers are great resources.

How old is your child?

DS is 10

Teach them to be empowered and to own their decisions.

It isn't one discussion, it is an ongoing process. Luckily our Congregation has a program that is in 1st grade, 5th grade and 8th grade and the trained teachers are great resources.

How old is your child?

When did you have this discussion with your DS or DD? Did you read any books beforehand?