The Dreaded "Birds and Bees" Talk

It’s a topic that we all know is going to come up, but it’s also a topic that seems to catch us off guard. Talking with your children about sex doesn’t have to be a bad experience for you or them. The most important thing you can do is to be comfortable and calm when talking about sex with your children. Research shows that kids who feel comfortable talking with parents are less likely to engage in high risk behaviors, then children who don’t feel comfortable talking with their parents. If you are uncomfortable about the topic, don’t avoid it, rehearse your answers so you’ll be ready—

Here are some more tips:

Start early—as you are teaching your toddler about parts of body—don’t skip the genitals- talk about the genitals as private parts.

Take everyday occurrences to introduce the topic. Talk about a friend or relative who is pregnant.

Its ok to talk with kids of the opposite sex—you don’t have to refer him or her to his or her mother or father.

Don't try to steer the conversation elsewhere or snap at them-about where the question came from. This will quickly shut the lines of communication down.

Remember- it’s more important to be open and honest and encouraging with your children than to be absolutely accurate.