The Birds and the Bees...

[usbornelynsey]

Hello All,

My children are two and one, so I have not had the "pleasure" of explaining the facts of life to them yet. :lol9:

To those of you who have, how did you do it? Did you just bring up the topic all at once, respond to a question they had, or offer a book?

At one of my recent book shows, a mom asked me if we had any books that would make that conversation easier? We do... We have one written for boys, one for girls, and one that covers both genders. She has two boys and a young daughter, so I recommended the boy book to her.

It covered the subject honestly, tactfully, and factually. I was very impressed. I have been married for almost five years, and I learned things from that book about the male anatomy that nobody ever told me, including my husband.

I just got me thinking, books would have helped when I was full of questions. Any thoughts?

[honey415]

I agree with ya, I wish I had a book when I was asking questions too.

And with the way the kids are today, it's never to early to start.

[WorkAtHomeSpace]

If the kids ask, tell them using the proper words for body parts. You don't have to give full out explanations, just enough for them to know...eventually as they get older and ask again then you can be more detailed. I'd say better to get the facts straight than to hear them incorrectly from someone else. I also like to keep the lines of communication open at all times so they would comfortable coming to me and asking about anything.

[Audrey]

Both of my kids asked questions. I answered each question as it came up.

[MaryAnn]

I answered questions as they came up. I usually tried to figure out what they were "really" asking first. Sometimes we think they are asking one thing when they are really asking another.

I agree with the above poster - I wish I had a good, factual book to help. But it doesn't take the place of sharing your own personal family values which I feel is just as important.

[usbornelynsey]

Thanks for your responses. I always just talked to my mom. She was VERY open with me. I could ask her anything. That is how I want to be with my kids. Some of my friends did not have that relationship with their parents, so they would ask me questions, and I would answer them if I knew the answer. If I didn't know, I would go ask my mom, she would explain it to me, then I would explain it to my friend.

For families that are very uncomfortable with the subject, I think a book would help bring up the topic.

Here are the links to the books I am talking about.

http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/details.asp?sid=T2810&gid=41622447&title=What%27s+Happening+to+Me%3F+%28Boys+Edition% 29&sqlwhere=submit%3Dsearch%26search%3Dhappening

http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/details.asp?sid=T2810&gid=41622447&title=What%27s+Happening+to+Me%3F+%28Girls+Edition %29+&sqlwhere=submit%3Dsearch%26search%3Dhappening

There is also one geared for preschoolers, that explains the sperm and egg part without the penis and vagina part. Here is the link to that one as well.

http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/details.asp?sid=T2810&gid=41622447&title=How+Are+Babies+Made%3F&sqlwhere=+Titles%2EID+In+%28Select+ProductID+From+ vCategoryGroupsItems+Where+CategoryID+%3D1420%29

My almost three year old daughter likes the How are Babies Made book.