|
Why do parents delay telling their children about puberty, spin off
|
|
|
|
|
29/11/2012, 10:24 PM
|
  
Posts: 2,949
Joined: 7-June 11
|
|
Advanced Member
|
|
I realise there is no right or wrong answer for this type of thing, but Im curious as to why so many people delay telling their children about puberty and sex.
It hasn't come up much but our children do know about sex, from a young age, and about child birth. I fielded a few curious questions when I was pregnant. I am the type of person who will try to answer any question my children ask me the best I can and then point them to a webpage explaining in detail. If I can answer the questions openly and not be embarrassed they will understand there is no need to be judgemental about human sexuality.
IMO if you introduce a concept early enough they accept it easily. They also come to you for information when they need it, or trust you to point them in the right direction.
I also broadly plan on introducing concepts like respect, no means no, and contraception when they are old enough to be in a relationship.Also want to try to outline that sex, masturbation,are normal and healthy when I believe they are old enough to understand that message.
SO basically I plan on breaking down all the information into chunks that I feel are relevant tO their development at that time. Not a single talk, but many.
I do remember the puberty talks at school, they were fairly formative to me, we roared with laughter at the video but the basic information I found useful for the rest of my life.
Why do other parents delay? Are they worried about overloading their child?
This post has been edited by I'm Batman: 29/11/2012, 10:26 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29/11/2012, 10:32 PM
|
   
Posts: 6,042
Joined: 3-June 04
|
|
I should be cleaning my house
|
DS (9)read all about it in his kids' body book, so we have never really had the talk. DD (6) asked me the other day how the baby got in the mummy's tummy. We talked about special cuddles, but no, she wanted details. So she got details- lol! Her response, "ew, I'm never doing that!" XH was very happy- lol! But she wanted to know tiny detail, so we even drew sperm/eggs, talked about X and Y chromoses, etc. while DS sat on the couch, pretending to read, but with his ears wide open
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29/11/2012, 10:36 PM
|

Posts: 274
Joined: 2-October 12
|
|
Member
|
|
I think my children are probably too young to understand. My 6 yo DD knows that you have periods when your body is ready to have babies and you get hair when you become a lady. All 3 of my girls don't know how babies are made, they think daddy gives mummy a seed and it grows into a baby. For now this will do for me, they don't probe further and seem happy enough with the little they have been told. I will be more than happy to tell them anything they want to know as they get older.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29/11/2012, 10:39 PM
|
 
Posts: 640
Joined: 27-February 12
|
|
Regular Member
|
It's funny, but I don't get really embarrassed talking about it. My BIL nearly died when his 5 year old daughter asked him what sexy meant (Gangnam Style video sparked the question) and didn't answer her. When my son of the same age asked, I told him it meant she's a pretty lady to that man, and my seven year old son I said "It means that man finds he attractive and he might want to be her boyfriend." Sex I reduced to two elements when my 7 year old asked - mechanics and love. Ok, so my cheeks might have flushed a little when I said the bit about the penis going into the vagina, but that's about it. I said it matter of fact, unashamedly and he got a little embarrassed so we moved on. I take my cues from the kids but never ignore them or tell white lies to save embarrassment. I don't want any of my sons getting anyone pregnant before their time!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29/11/2012, 10:47 PM
|
  
Posts: 2,949
Joined: 7-June 11
|
|
Advanced Member
|
|
So is it simply that they dont ask, and you dont want to scare them with the details. I do realise youve got to Strike a balance between telling them everything and not telling them anything at all.
Those who say seed, and egg is there a reason why you say that instead of sperm? Is it something you feel they will understand better. My eldest who is 8 asked me questions about childbirth and what it felt like, maybe 3 or 4 times so I found a video of a birth that I felt was suitable and showed him. Kourtney Kardashian giving birth to Mason, which is a beautiful peaceful birth.
I'm not judging anyone (despite all my questions), human sexuality and sex educational is handled differently by everyone to suit their family and child, as it should be. My chidlren are the types who ask a bazillion questions about everything and want to know details, so I feel if they are old enough I am obliged to give them real answers.
This post has been edited by I'm Batman: 29/11/2012, 11:07 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29/11/2012, 10:52 PM
|
    
Posts: 11,879
Joined: 2-January 01
|
|
Hoot Owl
|
QUOTE (howdo @ 29/11/2012, 10:27 PM)  Because the child runs screaming in the other direction when you attempt it Yeah, I have one of those too. So really, there wasn't much to be done until they covered it at school and he was made to sit and endure it.  We've always encouraged questions and discussion etc., but to force the issue when he was younger would have caused unnecessary anxiety and embarrassment. He actually did ask at one stage but then decided that no, he didn't really want to know more details just yet. My 8yo on the other hand has known most of what there is to know since she was 5 (there's just a few things we haven't "covered" yet), and is extremely pragmatic when it comes to all things sex-related. She rolls her eyes at her friends who think sex is a naughty word or something to giggle at or be embarrassed about. She's more interested in the science and mechanics of it all. So yes, as I think we all agree, it really does depend on the child.
This post has been edited by JJ: 29/11/2012, 10:54 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
  |
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:
|
|
Got bored kids? Quickly find the best activities for kids wherever you are in Australia with the Essential Kids app.
We know you're busy. That's why we've made it easier to connect with us online.
It?s a simple premise: a dad re-enacts the conversations he has with his two year old daughter ? but the daughter is played by a grown man. And the results are very, very funny.
At last, a new Standards Australia revision now allows for ISOFIX child restraints.
NSW Health has warned of a current outbreak of mumps across the state, urging members of the public to check their vaccination status.
The tragic case of two young boys who died while their mother was only metres away has highlighted the need for ongoing awareness of postnatal depression.
Whether your child is on a special seat on your bike, is sitting in an attached trailer, or is 'helping to pedal' on a half bike, there are lots of options to keep everyone comfortable and safe while cycling as a family.
For many, the Mirena IUD is a brilliant contraceptive option. For me, however, it was a dreadful mistake ? and I've since learnt I'm not alone.
In 1938, the Finnish government began giving parents-to-be packages to help them care for their babies, supplying them with clothes, nappies, and a box that could be used as the child?s bed. Today, the tradition is still going strong.
In parents? ever-increasing search for the perfect memento of their pregnancy comes an ultrasound you can touch.
Somewhere along the journey, someone removed my ?me? identity and replaced it with ?mum?. Here's what I've learnt about finding my 'me' again.
Gossip sites went into meltdown over news of Kate Winslet's pregnancy to her third husband. Amy Gray looks at why people judged her so harshly while so many others go unscathed.
Why do the ordinary people who go to extraordinary lengths to help give children a better life often end up out of pocket?
Lisa Curry may be 51 years old, but she?s not letting that get in the way of trying for a baby.
Check out our new interactive ebook, part of the brand new SMH Shortbooks series, for free!
Advertisement
Advertisement
You can win a Safety 1st car seat featuring Air Protect side-impact technology and a travel pack, valued at $290.
You could win the stylish 4WD Cosmopolitan pram from Mountain Buggy, valued at $799.
You could win one of 10 copies of the album Ten in the Bed by Jay Laga'aia.
You could win 1 of 4 $50 vouchers to spend at babyography.net.au.
It's party time!
Find everything you need to plan your next kids party. Essential Kids has ideas for kids party themes, free printable invites, cake ideas and tips for party games.
Featured Promotions
Advertisement
|