My dog is in heat and my 8yr old (almost 9yrs) is starting to ask questions. Is he too young for us to have "The Talk"? If no, how do I explain it to him without giving out too much information?
Thanks in advance!
Definitely not too early. At least he can hear it from you and not from a friend.
I heard this lady speak at my MOPS group. She has some good takeaway "phrases" you can use.
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/popups/media_player.aspx?...
Nope, my oldest daughter learned how babies were made at age 7. Old enough to ask, old enough to know. Our chihuahua isn't fixed and he likes to hump the air. My daughter always says "Look, Baxter is trying to make babies with nobody!" haha!
Definitely not to young. I actually think he is already on the old side. My kids have known since they about 5 or 6 years old. I started the conversation from a pure biological standpoint. It is how the human body works after all.
Definitely not too young. If he is asking questions you must be the one to provide age appropriate answers.
Listen to what he is asking you. Keep your answers short and simple. Ask if he has any further questions and again keep your answers short and simple.
This talk just isn't a one time thing but an ongoing things.
My son an I started having these types of talks when he was 3 years old and he attended his first baby shower. He wanted to know when do we get to shower the baby and I had to explain to him that the baby wasn't born yet but inside of his mother. That opened up a ton of questions but I just answered honestly and simply and he was good. He's 17 now and on his way to college and still will ask me a question or two here or there which I think is nice. I actually have a harder time answering him now than then but I still come up with answers that are age appropriate and in line with my beliefs. Sometimes it means I have to ask him if I can get back to him with an answer because I want to choose my words wisely instead of being like WTH. lol
Hit the library for some age appropriate books to give you a boost of confidence. And don't just have the talk - it needs to be ongoing conversations, age appropriate, so he can understand and respect his developing body as well as those of the opposite sex. Not all NOW, of course, but from now till he's grown.
You should have already started had 'the talk' which should actually be a series of discussions so I would just start answering his questions. My son is 6 and has known about animals mating for several years. I am not sure what you mean by 'too much information'. He is almost 9.
@ Nikki - time to get him neutered :)
Well, no reason to launch into a diatribe on reproduction and sex, but definitely answer questions. Keep it focused on the dog and how the girl dog if she doesn't get pregnant has a time where her body bleeds,etc (I am assuming that is what you mean). Be practical. Make sure to ask him "What do you think?" and the correct or add to where you think is necessary,etc. Kids are pretty savvy - they can link two and two together and if this happens with dogs, it happens with humans, too.
I went to this great parenting class where they discussed this topic is one that should be a continuous discussion and keep it focused not on mom and dad (because, let's face it no matter how old you are, you don't want the visual of your mom & dad - LOL).
If you feel he needs/wants information, you have a great opportunity to discuss it around your dog :)
good luck!
Why is your dog in heat!!!!!
Spay and Neuter your pets, folks! Shelters are at all time highs in their capacity and killing animals everyday.
Maybe a good way to teach your kids about the "birds and the bees" (do you mean sex?) is by knowing something about it yourself, and demostrating some personal RESPONSIBILITY.
Nikki, that's sooo funny!!
Yeah, time to explain about animals mating. Get some books from the library. The librarian will help you.
Dawn
I had the talk with my dd at the age of 9...she kept asking about "words" dealing with sex etc.
I got a book called "It's not the stork" and one called "What's the big secret".
These are cartoon type books and almost comic style and make it very light hearted, but factual.
My dd had no problem with it.
No, not too young. As a teacher for 10+ years (subbing), believe me, he has heard a lot.
Just be honest, straightforward and answer his questions. It is much better to have facts come from you vs what he hears at school.
Good luck.
