I am a Homeschooling mum so cant really rely on school to lead this topic and want some thoughts of others. Birds and the bees? My 6 and 7 yo boys asked me tonight about why I sometimes have blood on my underwear (periods arrive). I explained the process in age appropriate terms (womb throwing out its pillows because they are old and if a baby arrives it needs fresh pillows). The conversation moved onto looking at their first photos etc and they were satisfied. But it leads me to wonder, what is the best protocol here and how do we deal with it age appropriately/know when more detail is needed etc. I am assuming it is like everything else - they will ask for more info - but wanted to check in with others. TIA
2 Replies
I think lots of little discussions are best. And sometimes they bring it up and sometimes they might do something's that brings up the conversation. But making sure they have the information before it happens is important.
You could also cover some of the biology aspects as a topic in home school, as often it is touched on as part of biology. You could also include some animal husbandry topics.
If a friend is having a baby we often discussed the topic and talk about where the baby comes out etc.
For my boy I found the discussion of masturbation and erections were really important and respect towards females and future sexual partners (he is now an adult). We covered when and where masturbation was appropriate (bedroom) and discussed delayed gratification eg just because you are aroused doesn't mean you need to act on it everytime etc.
The actual sex act itself is the easy part to teach but the respect/behaviours/boundaries/understanding consent etc are far more difficult and we kind of assume our boys have got it without explanation when they really don't!
I agree with the previous poster. Biology and maybe taking the boys to a farm to.discuss how baby animals are made is a great way to introduce sex Ed. We live on a farm so my 4yo is used to seeing animals mating and giving birth although is still a little young for human sex Ed. He also loves his human body books and we have seen and explained semen and eggs etc and discussed this is how babies are made. I think it will naturally lead to more questions and the conversation can naturally flow on to puberty developments and "when your a grown up and get married" etc etc.