When to Talk to Children About Sex

It is never easy to sit down and talk to our children about sex. Although we are adults, explaining anything sexual can make us turn into the former squeamish adolescent shell of ourselves. It is alright to feel a bit skeptical and nervous about talking about anything sexual to our kids but as parents we have the duty to teach. It is important for parents to teach their children about sex before they learn about it from the media or their friends. If you are one of those worried parents who does not know how to approach the subject then take a look below at a few guidelines of when and how to talk to your children about sex.

At age two children should be able to know what their private area is. They don't need to know the exact term for it but they need to be able to discern their private area from the rest of their body. They should know that their private area is private and that no one should touch it.

At age 3-5 children should learn the correct terms for their body parts. It will also be helpful for them to know the anatomical terms of the opposite sex as well. They should know what good touch and bad touch is.

By age 9 and up children should know what sex is and the dangers and consequences that come with it. When you talk to children of this age you don't need to be very elaborate. Children should get the gist of sex which mainly is that it carries risks such as diseases and pregnancy. Now some parents might think that this age is too young to learn about sex. But did you know that as part of a condom campaign to reduce sexually transmitted diseases that Philadelphia officials have started a mail order condom business that allows children as old as 11 to receive them? Many girls start their periods around age 12 but some start much younger sometimes even as young as 8. So with this in mind it might be best for children to become informed of what sex is.

When talking to your kids about sex it does not have to be raunchy. It can be described tactfully as a part of the life cycle. The way in which you approach the situation will determine the way your kids feel about sex. Before you sit down and have the talk you should sit down and brainstorm everything that you want to say. Think about what you want to say and how you want to describe it. You can use (health) visuals to make talking easier.

Now that your child knows a bit about their anatomy and the reasons for sex you need to remain kind and open to them if they come to you with questions. Sex never goes away and your kids will always have questions about it. The worst thing you can do is shun them away and make them feel guilty when they ask you about anything sex related. If you turn your backs on them they will learn about sex elsewhere and the information that they receive might not always be right. This misinformation might end up hurting them.