My 9 year old son - a sign of maturity or immaturity?

Question

My son was asking me why some movies are PG-13 and R rated. I started to explain to him that sometimes there are things in movies that aren't appropriate for kids but ok for adults. He is extremely bright so I wasn't beating around the bush at all when I was explaining things, when I got to the 'sexual content' I figured I would take advantage of that and see if he was curious about knowing anything more. He asked me about what 'sexual content' was. I started to answer and then he calmly stood up and said "Never mind...I don't want to know about things until I'm older". I told him it was his decision and to come to me when he wanted to know.
What do you make of this?

Answer 1

I think you have a delightfully self aware son. While he may already have some idea of what's involved, it seems his interests lie elswhere. Too many of his peers are way TOO interested in sexual content.. Be grateful that he walks away from such things now. It may sound strange but, because he has that level of maturity, he's remaining age appropriate in his choices.
I'd say you should be proud, not just of your son, but also of your parenting skills.

Answer 2

I think it was your lucky day!! As parents we need to give kids the information they need, when they need it. He obviously is not interested in sex, and doesn't want to think about things like that right now. Good self-monitoring. It is important that we get a jump on issues like tsex and drugs with our kids, but we also don't want to stress them out with "too much information" too soon. If he still wants to be a little boy, at least in that area, I'd say that's awesome. Kids grow up too fast today. Sounds like you did just the right thing by telling him that when he is ready the door is open!

Answer 3

I think it was a great response from him. You explained the difference in terms that he understood and being a child of 9 he is still thinking about toys and games not sex and the like. Sometimes we get lucky as a parent and our kids are just that-kids. Too bad more kids weren't kids longer. Good job Mom!

Answer 4

I also have a 9 yr old son and when he asked me about how babies were made I gave him the basic version. He thought about it for a minute and said "I think I can wait a few more years before thinking about this again... it sounds pretty gross to me right now". 9 yr olds are great!

Answer 5

well, he sounds like a good kid, but make sure it isn't because he doesn't want to talk about it with you, but is ok with kids at school. He should learn the facts from you, and the right time for that varies for each child. I would keep an eye out and try to make sure he really doesn't want to know yet.

Answer 6

um by the time I was 8 I already knew the facts about sex ( my mom told me cause I asked ) but for some kids they aren't ready to handle that info at such a young age. I think he is mature enof to know that he doesn't want to know that just yet.

Answer 7

Sounds like a pretty bright kid-and mature as well. Consider yourself lucky. He'll learn about things like that later and will probably come to you when he is ready.

Answer 8

I think you did an excellent job!!! My opinion is that he maybe knows something about it and at his age still considers it off limits. Based on the conversation, I think he knew it was going to get more in depth and he knows he isn't ready to hear it. I think he does know a little bit though. Sounds like what a great parent would do! At his age, to me, it is something to consider talking about it in the near future.... but when he's ready to hear it!

Answer 9

I think your son is being smart wanting to delay 'growing up'. Society is scary enough and he'll probably be exposed to a lot of things sooner than any of us were, unfortunately. Kudos to him for wanting to stay a child as long as possible! When he's ready to know, he'll come to you.

Answer 10

Maturity.