Is this appropriate?

Hello friend the process should start at a very early age as the child starts toilet training....Just a note I am not speaking of sex...moreso in terms of learning good touch bad touch..boundaries...i think parents get overwhelmed when they think of sexual education in an adult way.....but think of it as a tool to keep your children safe and to teach them about their health....puppets are a great way...when they go to the restroom you should tell them to ensure the door is closed because it is essential to privacy....keep building from there if you are embarrassed......there are many wonderful books at barnes n nobel...have a kids drink and a conversation......the number one thing is always tell your child if they come to you about something of a sexual nature you will never be upst with them an pinky promise them and also tell them you will ALWAYS believe them...hope this helps.

Oh yeah how deep you explain the process depends on the age of the child.

California Education starts Sex Education around fifth grade to 9th grade (varying between districts).

Ultima4257 said:

So I was thinking about when is a good age to start sharing the "birds and the bee's with your children. What age do you think is an appropriate age to talk to your children about sex? Also, are there any methods we shouldn't use to describe it? I was considering a puppet show for the younger ones to detail how this process occurs, but I am not sure if it will keep their attention. What are some appropriate methods for this?

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What age are we talking about?

This was no doubt a much easier topic when kids were all raised on farms. lol

I definitely would not take my cues from cultural norms or pop psychology. Early in their life you protect your children by giving them enough knowledge to know certain behavior is wrong and they should tell you if any one ever violates them. Try to do it in such a way it does not arouse any mystery and the curiosity that mystery inspires.

At the beginning of puberty I took each of my sons on a road trip to somewhere they wanted to go - Colorado rock climbing, water park, etc. - and used the drive to listen to the Preparing for Adolescence CDs from Focus on the Family. Great discussion and we had a lot of fun.

Ultima4257 said:

So I was thinking about when is a good age to start sharing the "birds and the bee's with your children. What age do you think is an appropriate age to talk to your children about sex? Also, are there any methods we shouldn't use to describe it? I was considering a puppet show for the younger ones to detail how this process occurs, but I am not sure if it will keep their attention. What are some appropriate methods for this?

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It should be an ongoing dialogue throughout their lives, and each discussion should be tailored to that child's maturity and understanding level. Kids "discover" their private parts pretty young, it's completely natural. That's the time to explain that everyone has those parts, and they're private and only be to be seen or touched by a parent or doctor (or whoever else cares for the child). Some children, as young as toddlerhood, discover masturbation, but some don't; you really need to just know your child and what he/she is capable of understanding at each stage of life.

As for "The Talk" where you sit down and just lay all the graphic details on the line, I'd say it needs to be done before puberty for two reasons. One, our current society is throwing sexuality at kids at younger and younger ages, and there is very little innocence left in secular society. And two, once a kid reaches puberty, they're in the throes of the most awkward and self-conscious phase of their entire lives, and they may clam up and feel mortified if you suddenly sit them down to talk about sex. An 8 or 10 year old is old enough to understand the terms, the body parts, and the "logistics" of it, but less likely to feel mortified and like they want to disappear under the table lol. Also, if you've prepared them by keeping an open and honest dialogue about sex all through their young lives already, they're much more likely to feel relaxed and open when you have the big sex talk.

So, start young, as soon as they notice their own body parts, start talking about them (appropriately, of course). Keep up an open and candid dialogue all through their childhood. And make sure they know the whole scoop before puberty strikes. And then KEEP talking about it all through their adolescence. Talk about relationships, feelings, temptations, purity, and what your family believes is right and wrong. Encourage them to ask questions, approach them regularly to see if they want to talk about it.

Do you actually have children Ultima4257?

Ultima4257 said:

So I was thinking about when is a good age to start sharing the "birds and the bee's with your children. What age do you think is an appropriate age to talk to your children about sex? Also, are there any methods we shouldn't use to describe it? I was considering a puppet show for the younger ones to detail how this process occurs, but I am not sure if it will keep their attention. What are some appropriate methods for this?

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With our sexually illicit Culture brainwashing kids earlier and earlier..it is necessary to start having the talk earlier than what has been the norm till now. It is not unwise to start around the age of 7 when they have a pretty good capacity to understand right from wrong . Youll want to explain to them in terms they understand, what our Culture promotes which is ungodly...and then what Gods design is by our sexual nature . You will want to properly explain how Babies are made and Gods interaction thru the development and birth process -- use Psalm 139 material to integrate just how special God makes each and every one of us. Explain how God infuses a Soul into each developing unborn Baby and tell your child how valueable human life is to our Creator.

Don't forget to explain the filthy, self centered way that the World views sex ...and the beautiful experience God intends for sex to be in the context of lifelong committed marriage when it comes to pleasure and procreation. Finally, explain that the World views 'love' as lust for another...and get into some of the other fallacies that the World inundates us with expecially with TV programming concerning permissible fornication, adultery, and homosesexuality.

It may be uncomfortable for you to do this with your precious child...but, if you don't, they will get launched into the lies of our Culture and be detrimentally influenced by their Peers who buy into the mass media knowing 'the truth' behind such issues. Be strong and step up to the necessary challenge of giving your Christian Child the real truth based on Gods Word and his very person.

I say whatever age you decide be open and honest. I say start with the scientific side and end it with a bang and bring scripture up at the end and tell them what sex is biblically.

The goal is that they don't learn more about sex from their friends but their parents.

Avniel said:

I say whatever age you decide be open and honest. I say start with the scientific side and end it with a bang and bring scripture up at the end and tell them what sex is biblically.

The goal is that they don't learn more about sex from their friends but their parents.

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THIS. If you want to be the biggest influence on how they think and act about sex and relationships, you need to be the loudest voice. The world is bombarding them daily with the wrong ideas; how often are you balancing all that with the right ideas? It should be done often and without compromise! The idea that "kids are gonna do it anyway" is B.S. Studies prove that kids will rise the level of expectation put upon them more often than not. One of the biggest factors in keeping kids away from sexual behaviors - and they will admit this - is knowing their parents disapprove.

Ultima4257 said:

I probably will someday. I was just thinking about it and wanted peoples input on it. In any case I have plenty of time to decide.

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Then don't plan out the puppet show, just yet.

When you have kids, just make a point of asking their questions honestly right from the start. Then by the time you have to talk with them about sex, you will have a great base of trust already built.

Ultima4257 said:

So I was thinking about when is a good age to start sharing the "birds and the bee's with your children. What age do you think is an appropriate age to talk to your children about sex? Also, are there any methods we shouldn't use to describe it? I was considering a puppet show for the younger ones to detail how this process occurs, but I am not sure if it will keep their attention. What are some appropriate methods for this?

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There is no point talking to very young children about sex. They will not understand any of it. And I don't agree with the 'bad touch' post either. For the majority of parents and children, there is no such thing as bad touch; it is unthinkable to the parents, and the children are too innocent.

When my daughter was small I waited until she asked questions. The first time she asked I would be truthful, but vague. The second time I would give more information, but very briefly. The third time I would sit down with her and explain in age appropriate terms what she wanted to know. It is important to do this at the child's pace, and not just because we think they need to know. Every child is different, and that has to be allowed for.