The other night my 6yo (7 in a month) son was talking about sex and babies, things he has heard about in the playground at school i assume. No specifics just that you have sex to have babies etc.. i decided that this was an opportunity to have a talk and asked him questions about what he thinks and understands. We spoke openly and honestly using correct terms for body parts but kept it what i would call age appropriate, egg is inside a mummy and seed is inside a daddy and only adults who love and respect each other can do it etc etc.. he handled everything fantastic and understands its not playground talk etc. My question i guess is was he too young?? Should i have just left it for longer untill he was older?? What has been your experience with "the talk" and ages it started...
I should add I'm a single mum, only child. I asked him if he would prefer to talk to his dad about it but he didn't. His father knows we had the talk (hes not happy about it which got me thinking maybe i was wrong)..
How young is too young to discuss sex?
How young is too young to discuss sex?
Posted in:
Kids
5 Replies
You were not wrong. The earlier you start the conversation the better. Having these convos teaches your kids they can come to you without it being awkward or being told off. You want them to come to you, versus coming to some very wrong headed conclusions picked up in the playground.
You will find as he ages he'll have more questions and you'll need to repeat some stuff.
It's also a great time to have a discussion about consent, and teaching protective behaviours eg nobody is allowed to touch your penis besides you
I 100% support being open and honest to children, I think you've done the right thing! I was the same age when I found out about sex and periods as my sister got hers at 8!! so mum decided to prepare me early.
I felt it gave me power at that age, I felt like she trusted me to know this "secret" that everyone talks about at school but didn't really understand!
If he started the conversation, then he isn't too young. Sounds like he has heard enough that he needed to know more and that's why he came to you. Keep doings what you're doing.
My daughter is 7 and she knows about it because she asked. I would rather tell her the truth in an age appropriate manner than her finding out lies by someone else.
It's no different to any thing topic he might ask you about! Don't make it wierd or wrong, it sounds like you handled it beautifully. Get some books for his age, leave them around or read to him.
Answer each question simply, and to the point, if he needs more info, he'll ask more questions.
There is no blanket age, it's when a child is inquisitive is when you start, if not before. It's an important part of life and is an ongoing conversation which develops as the child does. Suggest to dad he get himself ready, read some books and not be silly about it
And PS I'm open and honest with my daughter and 2 sons, I'm the one talking to them about everything, not dad, he's a shit communicator.