The Birds and the Bees

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

At what age do you have "that talk" with your kids?

 

[Lord Manhammer]

Maybe 11? Can't really remember but tried to head it off at the pass before they learned inaccurate or scary things from their friends.

 

[Karin1984]

When the kid starts asking questions. Many kids will learn because their parents get pregnant with their siblings.

We had our talk during breakfast when my brother was 5 and I was 4. My brother asked a question, my parents explained the basics. The conversation ended with my mom asking: "Do you have any questions?"
My brother answered: "Can I have another peanut butter sandwich?"

More detailed explanations have to be told around 10-13. Before / at the moment a girl starts menstruating.

 

[princesscinderella]

I don’t think there’s was actual age with my kids we were always teaching them about life and sexuality age appropriately as they grew. If they asked questions they were always given the direct honest answers. Body parts were always referred to by their real names not cute nicknames either.

 

[tony67]

Maybe 11? Can't really remember but tried to head it off at the pass before they learned inaccurate or scary things from their friends.

With the way things are today 11 might be too late.
I feel like childhood is really not allowed much anymore.
May depend on where you live.

Its a tough balance of letting kids be kids and getting the information they need before they make a mistake.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

My Mom gave me a book and we read it together. I don't recall the name of the book, but I do remember that it was fully illustrated and I was embarrassed. I was grateful later on, though.

 

[NannyBeBe]

I have been working with young school children for several years. First graders are talking about sex, so I would advise parents to tell their children the basics by that time.

 

[mjkacmom]

My kids were well informed about pretty much everything by 10, that window can shut hard (although it never did, at least with my daughters). I gave them books (it’s perfectly normal, it so amazing) and they came to me with questions. When my twins were 3, we watched a documentary about twins in the womb. I was asked HOW the sperm got to the egg, I answered honestly, my kids said “gross” and that was that.

 

[C&Jx2]

When they start asking. It usually starts with the basic anatomy talk, then when they the other types of questions it can elaborated on.

 

[GAN]

Wow …I thought everyone just brought their kids to the Making of Me

 

[BrianL]

I was never given "the talk" by my parents. We had books on the bookshelf - "The Lifecycle Library" I believe it was called. These books were always available to me and my sister as far back as I can remember. Of course, I didn't really look at them or pay any attention, though sometimes I'd just flip through them as I did with any book. I generally didn't comprehend what they said, however it wasn't a big mystery to me when teh time came either. My sister was a few years older, so she of course told me about stuff - more stuff that isn't covered in books if you know what I mean - possibly at an innapropriately early age.

 

[goofyernmost]

My kids were well informed about pretty much everything by 10, that window can shut hard (although it never did, at least with my daughters). I gave them books (it’s perfectly normal, it so amazing) and they came to me with questions. When my twins were 3, we watched a documentary about twins in the womb. I was asked HOW the sperm got to the egg, I answered honestly, my kids said “gross” and that was that.

I asked my Mom the same question and she told me to go out and play. I don't remember how old I was, just the reply the question which was... I know that the sperm comes from the male and the egg is from the woman, but what I don't know is how the sperm gets to the egg. Not to worry, I eventually figured it out.

I don't think we should assume that girls would need to know before 11, but certainly that is a good number to go by. Boys can be a little later, but, if your paying attention to his habits it will be pretty easy to tell when the right time is.

 

[goofyernmost]

I asked my Mom the same question and she told me to go out and play. I don't remember how old I was, just to the reply the question which was... I know that the sperm comes from the male and the egg is from the woman, but what I don't know is how the sperm gets to the egg. Not to worry, I eventually figured it out.

I don't think we should assume that girls would need to know before 11, but certainly that is a good number to go by. Boys can be a little later, but, if your paying attention to his habits it will be pretty easy to tell when the right time is.

Timing is absolutely right on. Right after my post was an add for a mattress company.