Birds and the Bees :D

[Just4Jesus]

I would like to share something with you all and honestly I hesitated for a bit but I know that I'm not the only parent who has been faced with this situation. And too I was so moved by my daughter's response (she is 10)I just had to share.
While sitting at our kitchen table just Hanna and I enjoying our breakfast, Hanna asks me the dreaded question every parent has to face at one point or another. "Mom, please tell me where babies come from." 0_0

I knew I couldn't keep telling her, "it just happens."
At that moment I had to completely trust God with the right words and to explain in a way that she would receive. Hanna was in a very serious mood so I knew now was the time.
I told her that every child was a gift of God and what God intended for a man and a woman is such a beautiful thing. Marriage, children... and that everything God does is perfect, from the moment of conception to birth. (For you have formed my inward parts: you have covered me in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13) I had to tell her how this happens and I was stumbling over my words but was able to do it in a biblical fashion that made it a little bit easier. And then it came, that look!!!
She hollers out, "ewwwwwwwwwwww, you and dad?!?!?!"
Yep, total embarrassment. I was thinking quickly of how I could steer this back onto her more not so funny stature.
I told her that I wanted her to watch a video. What happens at the moment of conception. She leaves the room and minutes go by and I'm wondering what in the world is taking her so long. It was just a 5 minute video. (Youtube of course) gotta love Youtube.
After about 10 minutes she slowly walks into the living room with tears in her eyes. I said, "Hanna, what's wrong honey?"
She said, "momma, that was the most precious thing I have ever seen." She is bawling at this point, she couldn't even talk. Everything was quiet for a while after that. I am grateful that I was able to walk in the Spirit and not the flesh at some points.
My little Hanna has one awesome heart and Spirit.
Ok, I am trying not to cry so I will go now.

 

[akmom]

That is an interesting approach. I have been on the lookout for good approaches, since my six-year-old has been asking the same question for about a year. She's really curious how the babies come out. She's the oldest of three, so she's witnessed two of my pregnancies and the resulting baby, but not the birth (to her disappointment). Maybe I'll let her watch a YouTube that is a diagram of the birth process (not actual footage), or maybe an animal birth... I don't know.

 

[jminnesota]

that is beautiful. i feel parents should have the talk with there kids when they are ready of course. it is best they learn what really happens then just a made up story. and i rather kids learn from us then from the streets. they might say eeeeeew at first but as they learn more and learn about what god is doing they will see that it is beautiful. and hopefully they will wait til they are married before they start to have sex

 

[Just4Jesus]

That is an interesting approach. I have been on the lookout for good approaches, since my six-year-old has been asking the same question for about a year. She's really curious how the babies come out. She's the oldest of three, so she's witnessed two of my pregnancies and the resulting baby, but not the birth (to her disappointment). Maybe I'll let her watch a YouTube that is a diagram of the birth process (not actual footage), or maybe an animal birth... I don't know.

that is beautiful. i feel parents should have the talk with there kids when they are ready of course. it is best they learn what really happens then just a made up story. and i rather kids learn from us then from the streets. they might say eeeeeew at first but as they learn more and learn about what god is doing they will see that it is beautiful. and hopefully they will wait til they are married before they start to have sex

Thank you so muchIt was something we will always remember

 

[jminnesota]

it means your a wonderful mother she will always remember it too i am sure

 

[Just4Jesus]

it means your a wonderful mother she will always remember it too i am sure

you are kind

 

[akmom]

It is beautiful, but it is also gory. When I was pregnant with my first child, I ordered a birth video for my husband and me to watch to "prepare." Well it was just too graphic for the both of us. I mean, here I am, months away from going through the very same thing, and I can't even get through the video. I just really hesitate to show something that graphic to a first grader, because I can't imagine her reaction being any different than mine. I thought, "Hey, this will be useful," but it really wasn't. I know she's thinking, "Hey, this will be interesting," but I don't think she'll actually like it.

Then there's also that problem of being the kid in class that "knows." Or at least, kind of knows, and has a lot to say about it. I had a friend when I was a kid whose parents took that open approach, and explained the whole reproduction process to their first grader in a mature manner. But what she *actually* got out of it was something along the lines of "adults like to hug naked" and that's what she told everyone on the playground. I don't imagine that's what her parents envisioned happening. It's not what I want my daughter to do.

Your daughter must be very mature to have such a sincere response to that video, and it seems you knew that about her, enough that you felt confident about showing her that video. She sounds like a very special little girl.

 

[Mayzoo]

I suspect she showed a movie about conception, not actual delivery.

Kiddo (10) had already learned a lot about how her body works and is changing from a book we read together called The Care and Keeping of YOU the body book for girls by American Girl (which I highly recommend for any young lady growing up). It covers basic body care, hair care, healthy eating, not comparing oneself to others, menstruation, breasts, pubic hair, emotions, and much, much more. It was a great book for even my daughter who has autism. She has wanted to read it again and again both alone and with me. Then my daughter and I watched the documentary "The Incredible Human Machine" by National Geographic which covers everything but penis in vagina aspect and delivery. It shows fertilization/conception and early growth, discusses/shows sperm, egg, and ovulation in a format that includes many other aspects of how amazing the human body is. It shows how eyes, ears, muscles and many other things work, so the focus is not only on sexual reproduction. Kiddo has also already seen videos of other animals deliver babies, so in a completely relaxed fashion she has learned everything but the penis in vagina aspect of human sexuality over time.

 

[akmom]

"The Incredible Human Machine" sounds very interesting. I'll have to find it. I can envision my daughter appreciating that, as she loves other nature documentaries and frequently recites their contents to me! I'm not sure she is quite ready for a book like you described, but it is a wonderful idea for explaining menstruation and preparing them for it. I keep forgetting about the benefits of children being able to read (fluently), since I haven't gotten to that point in parenthood yet.

ETA: It turns out that particular documentary is on Netflix, if anyone else was looking for it. Not bad!

 

[jminnesota]

when i was in 9th grade sexual ed class the teacher showed a film on how a baby is born. before she showed it she had to have parents sign due to the fact there was nudity and it showed a baby comming out of a woman. before that my mom told me what happens so i was aware of it and ok with it. i feel if kids ask its ok of parents share what happens.