(taps mic) Let’s talk about SEX…or not?!

Most of you know that our oldest kid is entering fifth grade this school year. Along with that comes a new set of worries, topics of discussion, and interests to be prepared for - among other things. The Mister and I have always tried to keep the lines of communication open with both kids. I had to learn early on how to keep my reactions and emotions in check when communicating with them so they will never feel like they can’t tell me something. In some instances, that was easier said than done.

From the time they could understand and communicate, we have always referred to body parts by the scientific names that they are given. Boys have penises and girls have vaginas – not ‘dingalings’ and privates LOL…you get the picture. In addition to this, we’ve also had the basic, on-going conversations about the appropriateness of other’s actions when it comes to touching, personal space, trusting their ‘inner gut’ feelings and the like. Right now, the boy child hasn’t admitted to ‘liking’ girls from the boyfriend/girlfriend perspective…thank God, but he has been the object of affection of one of the girls in his class. <Yeah…these lil girls are aggressive nowadays y’all. Watch your sons lol!>

One of the topics that we’ve cautiously approached with the boy child, however, is SEX. Instead of sitting him down and laying it all on the line, we decided that we would first listen to what he knows or has learned from his friends and clear up any misconceptions through questions and answers. By using this approach, we found out his knowledge is limited, but he and his friends have definitely been talking about it.

What’s funny is…I can’t recall for the life of me any conversations about sex with my parents, but I can recall every conversation I had with my friends; which is why I want to change the script with my kids – if at all possible LOL! We were so naive and totally off base. Thank God for books, health classes and that one aunt who sugar coats nothing!

Hence my question to you…

When did you first talk to your kids about sex? How old were they? Did you spoon feed them a little at a time? Did you wait until it was presented in a health class at school <or does that happen anymore>? When did you learn? Did your experience change how you communicated with your kid(s)?

I’m eager to hear your thoughts and experiences.

Let’s talk about it…