[2xpink]

Hi,

My DD is 8, and quite an innocent 8. A few of the other girls in her friendship group are talking about having boyfriends and kissing etc.

DD1 is not really into this, and thinks boys are ok for friends but is still ewww at the thought of kissing!

She told me last night that her friend had told her "she dreams about having s.e.x. with Will".

Is this a concern that a child of 8 has said this? DD1 has as yet no knowledge of sex, and I thought that would be normal at this age. And I do remember kids being silly about sex, but is this going too far?

Should I do anything - speak to someone. I am concerned that this is not appropriate, and that she could potentially be at some risk?

Am I overreacting?

[fairyflossfart]

DD8 knows about sex as in it is how babies are made, but even holding hands with the boys in class is an ewwy thing. Boys are good for riding scooters and skateboards with, and that is about it for her.

I think the girl is either making it up because she thinks it will make her sound more grown up or something. Or she really thinks sex is just kissing boys.

[becstar101]

I really doubt the other girl knows much about what she is talking about, most kids at that age like to throw those words out to get a reaction.

It might be a good opening for you to gently introduce a bit of sex education, however - I remember feeling so lost at school when I heard kids use words that I didn't know, and I felt stupid asking them.

[--binda--]

I'd be giving your DD "the birds and the bees" talk!

[Tesseract]

If other kids at school are talking about it, I think it's time you gave your DD the right information. It's better if it's correct and coming from you, than if it's incorrect and coming from kids at school.

FWIW my friends and I were quite obsessed with the idea of s.e.x at that age, and we knew exactly what it was. It was just a phase, I guess we were reacting to the fact that we knew it was a taboo subject.

[PatG]

I'd be tempted to think that the friend is actually copying something she heard on TV rather than relating something that actually happened- grandstanding/exaggerating etc. If you are concerned perhaps contact the friend's mother and pass on the info. Regardless of it being the truth or not she probably needs to have an age appropriate discussion about things.

[dlee]

Maybe you should ask what your daughter thinks "s.e.x" actually is. Despite never having that talk with her, you might be surprised what she's picked up on the playground and, as others have said, decide it's time to give her the facts in an age-appropriate way. Or, on the other hand, you may find out that they think sex is just kissing and hugging. (I'd still recommend starting to discuss things though.)

[~*Twilight~Zone*...]

Has she told you what she thinks sex is?

Her version may still be kissing. I've heard from other mums that their kids think they will get pregnant if they kiss a boy.

[*Appletree*]

I doubt she knows what sex is. DD at 7 told me she had a dream she had sex with someone, when I explained a little of what that meant she was horrified and it was definately not what she had dreamt.

[MidnightDad]

Well, shoot OP, my DD2 asked me what sex/reproduction was at age 7, so I told her. Took all of three minutes. She looked horrified when I explained the mechanics and further asked 'So you and mummy had sex?' 'Yes' I replied. Que her look of even greater horror as she barked incredulously...

"TWICE!?!"

I could only smile and nod.

In the country growing up on farms with all manner of species having sex all around you its not an issue.... lessen your folks be of an inklin to lock you in your room till age 15 and blacken your windows. A young country kid could make an adult city-slicker blush ten shades of red if they wanted too, and there would be no 'at risk' component in their knowledge.

But city kids, unless they get the straight talk from parents, they can come up with some mighty strange ideas about sex, mighty strange, its all the whisperin behind the toilets at school that does it, after the listnin to the creakin of their parents bed tha night afore. Best not to tell them stories of cabbages and sparrows IMO.