Facts of life.....?

Question

my daughter is eight years old, when should i start telling her about the facts of life.......?

Answer 1

I agree, you should start now. No doubt she's already talking with her friends about it, and probably full of a lot of misinformation.

You can sound her out for what she already knows and how much she really wants to know at this point. Start with basic information and add more as she grows older and asks more questions.

Answer 2

Well, unless daughter is starting to bud, I wouldn't rush into too much detail for another year or so. You still have to break the news that there isn't an Easter Bunny after all. And Santa..well, hopefully they all believe there. But seriously, you can cursory talk about stuff she probably has seen in a movie or TV. Babies come from mom and dad making a baby. That's probably all that she needs to know and there will be many HOW questions from that. Stuff about her, period, etc., I think that can wait a bit. Safety and being aware of her surroundings is a talk I really would have with her right now. The facts of life for her are that there are a lot of "not so nice" people around. She must be aware of her surroundings when travelling to school, in a store (even with you) etc. I also have an 8 year old boy. Kissing is gross, he tells me..Have fun with this..

Answer 3

When the situtation presents itself. When she asks questions or displays some curiousity or interest in her body or what it can/can't do or where babies come from. Don't tell her more than she wants/needs to know at the time. I think 11 is a good cutoff year, if she hasn't asked questions by then, sit her down and at least let her know what is likely to happen to her own body in the next few years and why. Most girls get their periods between 11-14, so that's an ideal time. And if you wait longer than that, they hit the icky teen stage when they're too embarrassed to let you tell them anything. Just let her know she can always come to you with any question and you'll give an honest answer without getting mad that she asked, that should help her come to you instead of someone else.

Answer 4

You should tell her now. Especially the way they are now a days. But be short. Just the birds and bees theory first and let her know that if she has any more questions on the subject that you are there to answer them. Because she is going to start hearing it at school amongst her friends and it hard for kids to understand whats going on. Especially with her own body. ANd some of the kids don't know what they're talking about and she could get the wrong impression on life. So be frank, and use simple words.
Good Luck!!

Answer 5

My daughter is four and she knows every fine detail, though she's still a bit dodgy on evolution. She likes to tell people that humans evolved from gorillas, because a lot of earlier hominids look like gorillas to her.

She asks me great questions like "so if two sperm go into one egg, is that how you get twins?" And "if girls have two Xs and boys have XY, then who has two Ys?"

Anyway, my point is that kids are way smarter than we like to give them credit for. If you waited until eight, then your daughter probably already knows all kinds of things and half truths picked up from classmates and whatnot. It's time to sit down with her, start with an easy topic like sex and go from there. And if you can't answer a question in a way a young person might understand, refamiliarize yourself with the topic before discussing it so you don't confuse her. Wikipedia is a great resource.

Answer 6

you should tell her now really children as young as 3 should be told the correct names for penis and vagina appropriate to their gender. I work with DV and sexual abuse victims and I am amazed at how many children do not know about their bodies and what is and isn't appropriate behavior. Please do not allow your child to be taught by their friends or television. Better safe then sorry. At 8 don't volunteer too much info give her general info about puberty. As she matures your conversations will. Only you know your child and what level of maturity she is at. Allow her to ask questions and no matter how uncomfortable it may seem you are the first teacher your child will ever have.

Answer 7

May be its not the right time maybe you should wait till shes the age of 10 or maybe its time to tell her some facts about life... but its your choice

Answer 8

NOW! but be prepared, she may already know the word on the street.

Answer 9

whenever you personally feel it is time to tell her something, go for it. and don't just tell her. allow her to ask questions as well, and be prepared to answer them. always go with your gut!

Answer 10

My mom told me when I was 12. I think 8 is WAY too young to be talking to her about it, unless your worried about something that's going on with her.