When to Talk About the Birds and the Bees

I have 2 daughters ages 12 and 14. I am not an expert by all means but I think as soon as a child starts asking questions you answer them honestly but age appropriate.

I would be "talking" about things from 3 yrs old up. Everytime, adding more information. Treat it as a natural thing and you won't be at a loss for words. Worked for me...I have a 15 and 20 yr old with no problems!

I personally started very young with just a little information about how it feels to like a boy (I have a daughter) and then got a little more specific here and there. But I upped the information each time we talked. She let me know when too much information was being given but either being bored or ready to go do something else. Althought one time when we got a little more into the conversation, she said "Ewe, no more mom!!" Eventually when she hit 12 she asked me when we were going to have the talk and I could honestly tell her, we already had many "talks". She was so happy that she already had "the talk" and didn't feel stupid around her friends.

I started when my kids started asking & that meant when I was pregnant with my second & my first was only 3 1/2 but you have to put it at their level because you may tell them more than they are ready to hear. Good luck.

I got a great book from the library, Unfortunately I can't remember the name - but go to your local library and ask the librarian where you should look at for books that talk to your children about sex. The one I had showed a cartoon drawing of a boy & a girl, and had alot of info about cleaning, body parts, sex, conception - all the stuff in easy terms, it was alot easier than I thought to talk to my foster daughter (who was 9 at the time) than I thought it would be, mainly because i had the book in front of us. I have told my son who is now 6 as much info as he has asked for since he was 2ish. Nothing too elaborate, but enough that he understands the general concept.

GOOD LUCK mama!!

There is no specific age to talk about sex to your kids. Personally I think you should wait until they start asking questions and they will even if it's the slightest thing. A lot of the time the questions begin when another baby comes into the picture and you need to explain more or less how it got there. I told my son last year when he was in fourth grade because he asked me what condoms were after they found one on school grounds. I was pretty detailed but he was totally grossed out and probably didn't understand a whole lot that's why you need to continue talking to them so that when they are older and more mature to understand they will. A friend of mine told her daughter at 5 which I thought was ridiculas because she was way too young to really understand of of it. It's a personal choice but it definately needs to be done. Good luck and remember don't ever avoid or lie to them about "the talk".

When I was about 3 and I told my mother and father that since I came from my mom, my brother came from my Dad, they gave me the sex talk with this awesome book called How Babies Are Made, from Time Life books. I still have that original copy and it is very matter of fact. It has paper cut out pictures, only detailed as they need to be. It shows how flowers reproduce, then chickens, dogs, and people. My daughter has been reading it since about age 2. I think she took in or comprehended what she could as she's looked at it over the years. Be frank with kids about sex. I turned out fine (even prudish, not promiscuous, if that's a concern for you...).

I was 8 years old when I learned by reading the book "Where did I come from" and then having a discussion with my parents.
My friends and I were already talking about it at that point. In my personal opinion, I'd say that's probably a good age, or when they start asking.
My husband, though, grew up in an environment where it was completely inappropriate to discuss and never had the talk. I don't agree with that. I'd rather my kids learn from me than from their friends at school.

There is no special age. Every child and family is different. I explained it to my kids bit by bit. When I was pregnant and my older kids were about 7 and 8, I explained how the baby would be coming OUT. They had gone to a sibling class at the hospital, where they explained the uterus. And in the meantime, I had already explained a woman's period to my daughter. So a while after the baby was born (they were 7/8 or 8/9) I whipped out a white board and explained it ALL, so now they understand how the baby got IN. Now that my son is in middle school, I'm glad he knows the real facts. A neighbor told me her daughter came home in 7th grade and told her what they were discussing on the school bus and a lot of it was misinformation!

I have read that the sexuality talk should start as early as possible. First, you have to find your comfort level - then make it age appropriate.

We have a 3 year old. She knows the physical differences between boys and girls. We have also taught her that no one can touch her private areas, except her parents for washing purposes. I think its easier to built on this topic as situations come up where u can integrate explainations vs a formal sit down talk when they are 7 years old. She has seen on tv, people kissing -- so we talk about it.

Hope this helps.