How do you explain the birds and the bees to a child as my cousin has just turned 12 & started asking me?

Answer 1

I explained to my ten year old a month ago.
I sat her down and gave her the facts in a straight forward way. Mentioned love, pleasure, babies and being careful.
Afterwards I said she could always ask if she needed to know more and she had one question:
Where do the birds and bees come in to it?

Answer 2

Be honest and answer anything they ask without making a big issue out of it....its a shame its still such a taboo subject...12 is a little late to start asking (they probably already know some jumbled facts from friends)
start by using the correct terminology,never did quite understand the birds and bees description?

Answer 3

These days, 12 does seem a little late to begin asking questions. My daughter is only 7 and has already picked up bits and bobs of information about 'where the babies come from'! I don't think that there is a particular age and that we, as adults, should answer a child's questions with straightforward, truthful answers.

In this case though, I would say that you should speak with your Aunt or Uncle because they may want to tell your cousin about it in a different way. I agree with someone else who said, they should have already told him/her about these things already!

Answer 4

Tell your cousin everything. If you don't s/he will look for the wrong answer somewhere else. Also mention it to your aunt and uncle. I personally think they should have had this conversation with your cousin a lot earlier than 12.

Answer 5

I think many people suffer because adults dont respect the straight questions a child has, which just need a straight answer. Get a good book and if his parents agree go through it with him/her, or ask his/her parents to do this. Out in the open is my motto, but be sensitive and caring.

Answer 6

My wife bought a book for my 10 yr old son, which shows all the shpaes, sizes and bits of both males and females, where if you're old enough and mature enough you read and absorb.
My 10yr old was embarrassed and put the book aside, but my 5 yr old daughter thought it was really interesting and she now knows how to make a baby !

Answer 7

It is the responsibility of your Uncle and Aunt to be the one to explain it. If your cousin asks you, let your Aunt and Uncle know that questions are being asked. That would be the right thing to do, and not take the responsibility upon yourself.

Answer 8

well kiddo, some birds like bees, some bees like birds, other birds fly after birds, some bees buzz for other bees, then there are those bees that buzz for bees and birds, and birds that fly for both bees and birds... then there are birds that get changed to bees so they can buzz and there are some bees that get transformed into birds so they can fly...

Answer 9

Nope. We figured in the experience that they were previous sufficient to ask the questions, they were previous sufficient to carry close the solutions. I have in no way equated bill Murray's mouth with... Geez Buk.. i desire more advantageous espresso now. {shaking head and ...wondering...}

Answer 10

Are there not books on that sort of thing aimed at pre-teens? Probably worth talking it through with your aunt first though - you wouldn't wish to overstep the mark.