You’ve gone through the nappy-changing, the toddler tantrums, and the first days at nursery and school. It all seemed pretty tough, but now your little one might be asking what seems like the most awkward and embarrassing of questions: “Where do babies come from?” Where indeed. Joking aside, the birds and bees talk is an important part of your child’s development: here are some top tips for clarifying that most blush-inducing of topics:
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Talking to your kids about sex won’t make them go out and do it. In fact, research has shown that kids who discussed sex openly with their parents, and had an early understanding of what sex is (and that it is, in fact, the process by which two big people make smaller people) have sex later, and are more likely to use contraception when they do.
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Don’t leave it all up to your child’s school. Just like you don’t leave explaining why not to take crumpets out of the toaster with a fork to your child’s teachers, talking about sex is similarly important.
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Answer questions as they come. And keep your answers simple but honest. You don’t have to explain the whole process of how babies are made all at once—if your child seems satisfied with the answer “Babies come from inside a mummy’s tummy,” don’t worry: they’ll probably ask you how the baby got there soon enough.
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Don’t use terms like “pee-pee” or “ya-ya.” If it helps, practice saying “penis” and “vagina” with a straight face in the mirror. Seriously. It’s far less confusing for your child if you treat the genitals (that’s right, genitals, not “junk” or “nether regions”) like any other body part.
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Don’t be embarrassed. This is hard, but remember sex is a normal, natural, everyday thing. If you’re blushing and evasive, your child might get the impression that it’s something they can’t talk to you about. So follow the classic advice, and DON’T PANIC.
Remember, when those questions about where babies come from, try to
avoid mentioning gooseberry bushes, and keep calm and carry on!
There's a great video from Parentchannel:
If you’re still unsure about how to deal with talking to your young child about sex, check out this
advice from the NHS.