My 8 year asked how babies are made, not where they come from. I told him GOD. Am I wrong for lying to him?

Answer 1

You're better off explaining the basics of how people procreate. Limit the details to whatever you think is best.

You might ask how much he/she knows. Get a sense for what they do know and use that as a foundation to explain how the process works.

I would also clarify the whole "have sex" versus "make love" issue. Explain that there's a difference and it'll help him/her better understand how they feel as they reach puberty. The more they know and understand, the more rational decisions they'll make.

Answer 2

I think you should have been a little more direct with him. My son asked me when he was 7. I told him that babies are made when a man and a women are in love with each other they get married and make babies. He's 9 now and has asked for a little more details and I've only filled him in on what he specifically asks. I think the only way to keep an open relationship with children about sex, is to be open and direct about it when they ask questions. Even my girls, age 4 and 6, know that Daddy's help God put babies in Mommy's bellies. Hopefully, I am doing the right thing. I just don't want them to grow up ignorant and only know what their friends tell them.

Answer 3

First of all, you DID NOT lie!!!!! I believe babies DO come from God!

God created the world and in His own likeness, created Man/Woman.

He's a bit young to know all the "details" of HOW they are created.

You absolutely answered in a correct, professional and good-parental manor! I commend you!

Now, when he gets older, and (if) he askes again, you can say something like . . .

"A man and woman love each other very much and when they get together, we have those "private places". A man has a penis and a woman has a vagina (correct terminology IS best!) The man's penis goes into the vagina and eggs inside the woman's body become a baby. Then, coming from the "special place" between my legs, the woman has the baby.

I hope you feel better about your situation and that I have helped you with my answer! Good luck! Sounds like you are doing very well at parenting! Keep it up!

Answer 4

There is a book that you can get to actually help you to tell your children in the proper way of how babies are made. Using proper terms and words.

In my opinion I would have told my child how babies are made but on the other hand I do not think you were wrong at all for lying to your son. I am sure he caught you off guard too.

Answer 5

If the answer satisfied him then it's OK to substitute God for more complex information that you will give him later.

It's the same as if you told him the sun was on fire. You can't adequately explain nuclear fusion reactions to an 8 year old so that's a good answer and gets the basic idea across that it gives off light and heat and looks like its on fire.

In my house we say when mommy and daddy love each other a baby forms in Mommy's tummy.

Answer 6

You didnt lie to him...BUT...here is my view on the subject...especially after reading a lot of the posts and questions asked on here from teenagers and young adults on sex and getting pregnant etc...I'd rather tell my girls the whole truth right from the start and open up the lines of communication. Ive seen far to many of them on here obviously having sexual relations without knowing the ins and outs.

My girls know the basics and feel comfortable coming to me to ask questions...a lot has come out lately at home because a neighbors cat had kittens..and since they have come to me with some false information and I felt good that I could clear it up for them...(my girls are basically the same age as your son 7 & 8)

Answer 7

I always heard that no matter how embarassing it was, it was best to tell the truth. Just put it in real simple terms, use words they understand. 8 yrs old seems young but I would guess he's already heard some things at school so it's best to put it to him straingt and in a way he understands.
That's what I did. I was a divorced Mom of 2 boys and it sure wasn't easy but as they grew up they always came to me with questions. They were never embarassed.

Answer 8

It's important to not leave your children in the dark when they ask questions. You can be vague but answer the questions honestly. 'Mommy and Daddy both have seeds that when planted together God turns into a baby' is better, I think, than avoiding the mommy and daddy bit completely.

I think when they are old enough to ask they are old enough to deal with the truth -- but details can be left out till later...

Otherwise your child will not feel comfortable to talk openly with you -- and if its not YOU it WILL be someone, you can count on it!!

Answer 9

well, that 's a sticky question. I would have said that babies are what happen when married adults love each other very much, and left it at that...
an eight year old isn't ready for the phyisological details yet.
and don't be afraid to be anatomically correct with your child, it will help you in the long run....
if you're sqeamish about talking with your child about this now... he'll be sqeamish talking with you about it later!

Answer 10

Yes, you should not patronize your child. The more truth they know the better they will handle situations in the future. Since 8, you can spare some of the detail, but tell him the truth.