how do you know when you should talk to your child about puberty and sex?

Answer 1

Talk to them the first time they ask about it. Just be honest and give age appropriate answers.

Answer 2

i think as soon as they start asking.
my son is nearly 7 and he already has a simple knowledge from when i had my second child ( now 2). When i found out i was pregnant he started asking all kinds of questions, how are babies made etc and i answered him but in very simple terms. The trick is to be open and honest.
I grew up in a household where sex and puberty were not spoken of and this made it very hard as a girl when i started changing, but because i have been brought up like that, i know what its like not knowing.
My children on the other hand, if they ask then ill tell them, at least then i know what they are being told.
I think these days people leave alot to the schools to inform children about this, but i think this is wrong, I think that teaching starts at home.
I dont think that going into all the gorey details is required but just tell them what they need to know depending on what age they are, and if they do ask questions dont be afraid to answer, because then they may go somewhere else and ask and you'll never know what they're being told and it'll stop them from coming to you to find these things out

Answer 3

From day one. The minute they ask the simple question "where do babies come from" you explain to them in terms they can understand...so I'll give you an example chrat, using the question" where do babies come from"
0-3"Babies come from inside of mommies."
3-5 "Babies come from a mommies uterus. It's where a baby grows inside the mommy! A mommy has a vagina. A daddy has a penis."
6-8"When two people fall in love, and hopfully get married, they have sex. Sex is when the man puts the penis inside the womans vagina (get ready for the EWW THATS GROSS) And sometimes, when they have sex, the woman becomes pregnant"
9 and up-this is where you talk about puberty, talk about how they are going to feel to the opposite sex, and how to protect themselves when they feel they are ready to have sex. Even if you are a Christian (or any other religon) you should STILL teach your child how to use contraceptives, so they don't think that when they get married, the only choice they have is to have unprotected sex and create a child that they are not ready for....

Answer 4

In my experience you need to talk about it to them when they ask. The difficulty is knowing how much to tell them. If they ask for more detail give more details. If they don't ever ask I would guess that you need to tell them before they have too many changes. The age for puberty onset for girls is anywhere between 8 and 15, the average being 11 years and for boys the average age being 13. One of the most important things to tell them is not just about their body changing but feelings and emotions and really importantly about relationships and thier right not to be pressurised. Puberty and sex don't come without those! Good luck, exciting times ahead.

Answer 5

I think it just sort of happens. We have a 2 1/2 year old and she knows that girls have "minnie's" and boys have "willy's". She has a children's book which explain in very little detail where babies come from and I'm sure she'll ask more in-depth questions when she's ready. We've decided that we will be as open as possible with her without being graphic about every aspect of sex. I feel that if she has some understanding of relationships and sex growing up she is more likely to have respect for herself and her body. This in turn will aid her to make the right decisions with regards to sex and hopefully enable her to feel that she can approach us about anything!

Answer 6

It's probably best to do it just a little before they actually hit puberty so that when it happens it isn't so shocking and scary for them, especially for girls. It is easier to know with girls when they are near reaching puberty because there are physical signs of it happening. With boys, their voices start changing but they may have already started growing hair on their legs... . You could ask their doctor to be sure. Each child is different though and you have to evaluate their own maturity level. Just never wait too long.
Good Luck!

Answer 7

I think this should be an on-going conversation that starts when they are little and start to ask questions about their bodies. Information should be factual and age appropriate.

I have three girls and I guess it was easy for me since they were always walking in on me in the bathroom....(I miss my privacy! lol) Plus my oldest was 5 when I was pregnant with my last one so some conversations on where do babies come from started then.

You can't wait until they are a set age anymore. There are too many young children home alone having sex after school anymore and getting pregnant. Boys & Girls need to be told about sex & protection from AIDS/HIV as well as pregnancy and other STD's...and they are not getting enough education either at home or church or school. If you don't want your children to come home as parents you have to be pro-active! You have to give them information & your feelings on the subject. You have to teach them right from wrong and let them know that they have to take responsibility for their actions.

Answer 8

Whatever you do, don't wait until the girls period starts before telling her about puberty! Tell her (if it is a her) BEFORE she starts so she can be well prepared to handle it and not think she is going to die like some of the poor kids in my daughters school because the parents were so uptight and stupid to have a discussion with their kids! I'd say about 7 to 10 maybe you should sit them down and don't wait until they come to you after hearing stupid things in school from other kids that are clueless. Sit him or her down and talk and don't be all nervous about talking to them. Just chill out and take it easy. Little conversations over a long course of time instead of one big long conversation.

Answer 9

Whenever you think is right and they'll understand. But its better for you to do it than anybody else. Get there first. The reason I say this is because only you will teach your child about sex in a loving relationship whereas a book/video/internet will not

Answer 10

When they start asking questions....if they do. What I did with my kids (they are girls though) I left the bathroom door open. That sparked all kinds of questions. Talk to them before you think they are going to need the info. If you see a pregnant lady, and the child comments on it, when you get home ask them if they want to know how the baby got in there, and what they know about how babies are made.

Answer 11

Better be careful... certain nutty posters like elduderama or nicole or hedge may start accusing you or being all pervey and a danger to kids for posting intelligent stuff like this along with accusing all the posters who have the common sense to educate their kids



As soon as they work out boys abnd girls are different... they tell most things but increase deatil as they get older and then add all the relationship stuff.

Exlaining gays, lesbian and awareness of peadophies and rape (ie sexaul bullying) early on.


Seen plenty of parents having done this and the kids were fine infact shows far more intelect...


no embarrasmnet or interest in sex.


just they thought adutls who dont talk about it are stupid as dont know where babies come from or why older brother likes pictures of girls with no clothes on or why older siblings like kissing



This is the best way as goverened by evidence like.


http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/factsheet/fsest.htm