at what age should you tell your child about sex? (give them the talk)?

Answer 1

12 or so, when they are just starting to notice this stuff

Answer 2

Early and often would be the best answer. Don't fall prey to the untruth that all that's important about sex is penetration of the vagina by the penis. That's not all that sex is and it's far and away from the most important part of the entire act.

If you've ever named body parts for your toddler you've started sex ed. You either tried to ignore it by not naming the private parts or started the conversation by naming them.

You've carried it on with your pre-schooler if you talked about the parts covered by a swimsuit being private and that they should tell you if anyone ever wanted them to show or touch them.

You even face it when your child asks how you got pregnant with them or their sibling and how they were born.

How you answered those questions and handled those kinds of situations sets the entire tone for the more serious talks that happen at 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18... That's when you start what most people consider to be sex ed. You cover changes that will happen. Then changes that are happening. You cover feelings that come up and how to deal with them. You cover how to respect yourself and others. You give some information, answer questions and keep repeating it until it sinks in. It's not one giant talk that will go in one ear and out the other. It's a lot of little talks that build on each other and happen whenever they need to (questions asked) and whenever they're planned (to pass on important information).

And don't forget that you model how you expect relationships to happen by your example everyday. If you don't want your son or daughter to abuse/be abused then show them something different. Don't want the to use or be used, show them a healthy relationship to aim for. They can see how you live and how you want to be treated and how you want to treat people everyday from birth on so make sure you're giving them a good example to follow.

Answer 3

As soon as they ask questions about it. Most people think its something you should just do randomly but indeed its not. I mean it would go way over their heads if you choose to just do it that way. And no doubt they would forget it. So best is when they ask you about it, and have their own questions. Also be conscious of the age group they are in, meaning that what you might explain to a 16 year old a a 9 year old might not understand as well. And I say keep the talk based off what they ask. But keep it detailed and how you feel and how they feel on the matter. As long as there is open and positive communication, I'm sure your kids would come back and ask you more questions in the future, when they are ready.

Answer 4

I am 65 I raised 5 bys Sex had never been a taboo in my house , So doesnt matter his age each time a kid ask a question he receive a honnest answer Here a example . One of my son who was 3 yrs ask me one morning How did I get out you ;; I said ;;there a little magic door who is opening to let the baby out Hes beautiful blue eyes lite up Its biggest mistake a parent can do sitting a child at 8 or ten and telling him or her OK today I am going to give youa course on sex He feel like in front of his teacher give him a lecture on geography Do it with love and answer all his question doesnt matter his age

Answer 5

Well I think at a young age (pre-puberty) you can give them the basics like a man and a woman make a baby...but don't go into detail. "The talk" so to speak I would say when they reach puberty (late middle school maybe high school). If they are old enough to start asking question I'd go ahead and tell them though. This way, they get the truth b/c they've probably heard different stuff from ppl at school or whatever you and you dont want them to have misconceptions.

Answer 6

12

Answer 7

I don't think there should be one talk. Gradually, starting at the age of 4 or 5, then explain about bathroom stuff, and at 7 years old work into sexual changes. I really don't think it's one talk--it's a relationship. One of my favorite times w/ my mom (BTW I'm female) was when we she told me about a guy she dated before marrying my father. It was, and still is, one of the few times when I saw my mother relating a story to me as a young woman, not as my "you'll do as I say" mother.

Kids mature so much faster than even 20 years ago. 8 year old girls have breasts, etcetera. Pressure is EVERYWHERE. You didn't say if you have a son or daughter, but I think 7 or 8 years old isn't too young to talk about the feelings, then talk about the act of sex a little later.

Answer 8

Early and often. An 11 yo might not need the full blown talk, but you should be talking often enough so that by the time 14 comes around they would be qualified to teach health class.

***Let the kid talk, that will give you an idea of where they are and what they need to know and when...

There is no set age, kids are different, their environments are different, their friends are different, and their interests are different... the parent needs to be constantly involved... at every age.

Answer 9

Sexual Education is taught through the Canadian public education in Grade 5 or 4... as far as I remember it. So that is about 12 years old. You should tell your child about sex but not detailed and discourage them from it at 12 years old. Or you can wait a little while and talk to them about it when they are 16. Because in high school, teens are in the larger risk of being exposed to sex. Good luck. I know it's hard. My parents found it difficult to talk to me about it. It's sensitive and personal.

Answer 10

believe or not, children learn about sex at young ages, mostly around 12. most kids even start doing it in middle school because of all the pressure to be popular. so i would say the proper time to give ur child the sex talk is at 12

Answer 11

I doubt there is a particular age you can sit them down, tell them everything they need to know and expect them to understand it all at one shot. It is probably better to answer their questions as and when they ask them right from the time they very small. Keep yourself accessible as a parent and informed about what they are thinking about. Incorporate it in normal conversations off and on and then if you still think that there are things you need to let them know talk to them well before you think they absolutely need to know. Parents tend not to realize how grown up their children are and every genration seems to mature faster than the previous.