|
Post by mudlark on Oct 13, 2017 21:29:38 GMT
...do you tell them about the 'facts of life' as they were called in my day....I don't want to leave it to school, I want to be the one to tell them. I have an idea of how I would do it and books to use, I just wonder at what age others have done this.....
|
|
|
Post by imp on Oct 14, 2017 14:15:05 GMT
There are some excellent Usbourne books, suitable for several ages
I would suggest looking at these and perhaps getting the easiest one fairly soon I can also recommend them right up to coping with puberty. My Grandchildren found them really helpful
|
|
|
Post by leo on Oct 14, 2017 22:34:15 GMT
I know it's very late - but I didn't have the full talk until Hurricane was 11. Before that all he knew was that women had the eggs/seed and men had the fertiliser. There were background issues though that meant it was a particularly delicate subject to raise.
Mine did know about periods and the changes puberty brings before then.
I had planned how to tell them, how to emphasise relationships/marriage, what resources I'd use (had taught school children many times); thought I was 'good to go'. Hah! Turned into a two minute mechanical instruction guide and nothing more. He couldn't face it and I felt I simply needed to get it over with as quickly as possible. He has not been interested in looking at any books or talking about it any more so I've left it for now.
I think it's very hard to judge when is right - and it can be made harder by public expectation that all children know from an early age. Some schools do start teaching this from Year 3 or 4 though - usually starting with body changes/puberty but you should receive a letter from the school before they start. Many schools also invite parents in to see the resources used beforehand so they know what their children will see and hear. I have to say, I thought telling my own children could not possibly be worse than 'teaching' sex ed to a group of parents!
|
|
|
Post by serrakunda on Oct 15, 2017 9:45:03 GMT
I think Simba had an idea around 8, he certainly knew all the correct words at 7. Simba being Simba I had a bit more of a drip feeding approach, I think they did something at primary school but I didnt sit down with him with a book until the summer between primary and secondary school. He was remarkably unfazed by it all, didnt have any questions.
When they did the biology bit in year 7, apparently his best mate was horrified, considering he is number 2 of 5 you would have thought he might have some idea!
|
|
|
Post by topcat on Oct 18, 2017 6:59:00 GMT
I introduced it in the first year they came - 5 and 6 - used a book I knew which was actually out of print and I had to get second hand on amazon and another about 'private parts'. They were obsessed with babies and where they come from so I took the bull by the horns as it were. The sex thing was just one part of all of it, they didn't take everything in at the time but it established a trust for talking about anything to do with our bodies (I hope).
|
|
|
Post by daffin on Oct 19, 2017 10:00:05 GMT
I started telling Mouse about babies growing in tummies and how they are born aged about 3. I’ve explained the basic basics about the woman having an agg, the man having a seed and that they are both needed to make a baby but haven’t fully explained the ‘mechanics’ of how the egg and sperm come together.
I’ve said bits and pieces to Monkey Boy. But his memory is shot so he doesn’t remember much!
|
|
|
Post by esty on Oct 19, 2017 19:34:35 GMT
I gave Twisty Fish a book in Year 6 before the 'talk'. He often implies he knows it all but when i mention anything he always looks horrified and disbelieving. I think he knows it factually but the reality of what actually happens is too much for him to let himself think about. We're very open in this family. I come from a family where saying fart was seriously not appreciated nor was the mention of any other bodily happenings, however I name things clearly and will talk about things openly as they come up, e.g. if something about rape was mentioned on the radio I would talk about it if he asked. He is 13 now though.
|
|