Appropriate age to talk about sex (cartoon, babies, parents, wife)

[miasmommy]

What is an acceptable age to start start talking about sex and/or how babies are made, to your children? NOT that since mommy and daddys love each other an angel puts a baby in mommy's tummy, the REAL DEAL???

[maciesmom]

I think with a 10 mo. you're safe for awhile!
OK, we didn't actually ever "sit down" at a certain age for a discussion. Kids will ask all kinds of questions, if you always answer questions honestly but age appropriately, then you don't ever have to sit down and backtrack! Simple. It's just biology.
Really - why would you ever tell a child that an angel put a baby in mommy's tummy? You will be much better off in so many ways just always being honest. They will trust you later with really important questions that way....

[tiffela74]

IMO, it really depends on each individual child. My oldest got the basics talk at 10yrs old, and we've just fed in more as time goes by. Often times, something we see on TV, or in life prompts talks. Thankfully, we have a wonderful relationship and she feels comfortable in going to either her dad or myself for any questions.
My son, we've done a little bit here and there, but he hasnt gotten "The Talk" yet and he is 10. I think our 7 yr old knows just about as much as he does right now. Shes getting the basics talk here in about a year or so. She already tries to wear bras and stuff...sigh...

[dmarie123]

I remember being in about 2nd grade (gasp) and having heard about sex, I drew my own conclusions. I thought when Barbi and Ken cuddled naked, they were having sex. My older brother (16) informed me that sex was not when they cuddled, but when their mouths touched each others' private areas.

Sorry if this is crude, but by 4th or 5th grade, everyone knew what full fledged sex was.

My parents never talked to me about it. I found out from friends and was always horrified.

I think the time is EARLY! With the media and kids now days, chances are your 7 and 8 years old's have knowledge and curiosities.

[TouchOfWhimsy]

My kids don't know the actual mechanics, but they know that it all involves a seed from the daddy and an egg from the mommy, and they come together in the mommy's womb, and the baby comes out of the mommy's vagina. They're 8 and 5. My 8 year old has asked once or twice "how does the seed get into the mommy's body?" and I've read them "The Wonderful Way That Babies Are Made," but he doesn't get it yet. Or maybe he's in denial.

[miasmommy]

Originally Posted by maciesmom

I think with a 10 mo. you're safe for awhile!
OK, we didn't actually ever "sit down" at a certain age for a discussion. Kids will ask all kinds of questions, if you always answer questions honestly but age appropriately, then you don't ever have to sit down and backtrack! Simple. It's just biology.
Really - why would you ever tell a child that an angel put a baby in mommy's tummy? You will be much better off in so many ways just always being honest. They will trust you later with really important questions that way....

Yea, I hope she her first sentence isn't "what is sex mama?" LOL

My mother got into a small disagreement today about this subject.

I think for starters, I would explain it to them as early as they ask. I would tell my kid that when two people love each other, rather than a husband and a wife, they make a baby. Something LIKE that, not sure, could change at the moment my kid asks me. I just want to tell them as much of the truth as possible without taking away their innocence or making them hide under the covers for a week!!!

[maciesmom]

Just answer with the simplest and most direct answer there is. Often times what they are asking is much simpler than what we think they are asking and we end up giving more confusing details than they want or need. If they are ready for more they will ask more - especially if they know you give them honest answers. As hard as it is (and it gets harder as they get older and more specific in their questions) never let them see you sweat! Just answer it like it is the most normal, non-embarassing subject on the face of the earth....you want them comfortable coming to you for answers not their friends...

[Brian.Pearson]

I figured it out when I was five. Took awhile, but I figured it was a variation of the round peg in a round hole, and that somehow there was something transferred from the male to the female.

[cr1039]

Gosh, I had a great video when I was younger. I wish I could remember it! It was a cartoon. The egg was a lady and the sperm where "men" swimming in a pool.

On the "outside" we saw a cartoon version of what was happening inside.

I was born in 1981, if anyone can think of it that would be great, there was a book that came with it.

Anyway, I think tell the kiddos the truth and tell them early.

[Megafoxy]

Maybe a few years before their bodies start to develope.