The Birds and the Bees...

Bringing this post up...

Eeee! I wouldn't know what to do with a son on this (hope you get some good info!). Traditionally the dad gives the talk (think National Lampoon's "good talk, son". LOL). I think my girls know the basics, they see our cows and the horses up the road doing it all the time. LOL!

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. My DD10 will be going into 5th grade, too. But at our school, 5th grade is the first year of middle school. I have a middle schooler. Holy CRAP!

See, I don't even know if DS knows "the basics" LOL! He is pretty innocent - at least I think he is.

...we've just sorta talked about it as we went along. He's never asked you ANYTHING about where babies comes from??

This may be an easier talk for DH to have with him, but then, I don't have sons so I don't know. I know that Josie prefers talking with me about sex rather than her dad.

Lynn Siprelle, Editor

I know that part of the 5th grade curriculum here talks about physical changes but doesn't get into sex ed per se. But any kid in middle school will hear info,right or wrong, in school, on the bus, in the cafeteria, at recess,etc etc. so my advice would be to just ask him if there is anything he would like to know,perhaps a book geared toward kids his age at the library may help. I would bring it up during an activity like driving in the car with him for example so he doesn't feel cornered or on the spot,y'know? Good luck!

Heidi

. . . but one thing I brought up with DD8 before sleepaway camp with kids up to age 11 was that she might hear talk about sex, because 11yos are nearly teens, and she knows that teens are very interested in sex. I emphasized to her that she should probably assume that whatever she hears is wrong, and feel free to clarify it with me or a counselor. I added that if she really didn't want to talk to someone about it, she should really assume that anything upsetting or disturbing is totally incorrect.

DD8 would rather have her eyelashes pulled out one by one than talk about sex -- she knows sex has something to do with kissing, something to do with looking "sexy" to attract boys for kissing, and something to do with making babies. She is very content with her limited knowledge, so I have not added to it.

I second the idea of the car -- plus he can't see your facial expressions!

Shaun
www.redseahomeschool.wordpress.com

Well, he thinks that when two people are together, as in married in most cases and they really want a baby, the mother often gets pregnant. At least I think that is what he thinks! But that is not going to last for long. I really do need to have this talk - thanks for all of the ideas and keep them coming -

We had "the talk" yesterday. It actually went pretty well. We did it when we were sorting through some stuff in his room, so it was less threatening I think. I kept things pretty basic, but got the main points in I think. He said that his friends were not talking about this yet, which surprised me! All in all I was pleased with it, but I know I will need to keep this an ongoing conversation, it is not over!

Sorry, I have no suggestions on how to make the talk easier. My son is only 6 months. But good information is important...

My DH's parents waited so long to have a detailed talk with him that he knew all about sperm and eggs before he knew about the "mechanics" of everything. He just thought that the sperm got in through the tiny holes between the skin molecules! LOL

But the big mistake was having me give it to him. He was mortified. So with second son, Dad did it. We also made sure to tell them that anything they wanted to talk about was not off limits, we would not be mad or embarassed, etc.
The book (I think it's called It's Perfectly Normal) it very comprehensive, and they didn't have questions, but at least they got correct information.

Now, DS 15 has a pretty serious girlfriend, so the talks are much more serious. We can be silly about it too, and his most common response is "I KNOW!" But we remind him anyway... hee hee!

DDalmost7 is going to need the period talk soon, even though she has never asked about it. I remember a brief, to the point, answering of commerial-related questions with the boys. Nowhere near enough comprehensive for a girl though...Any advice?