Question:
I explained everything to my then 4 year old when I was pregnant. He wanted to know everything about babies and being pregnant. I didn’t explain to him about sex but everything else he wanted to know, so I told him. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >"Okay Mom, I *know* how the babies come out…….I want to know how they get >Jackie >"Single parent…..who not only is happy about it, but proud of it…."
Response:
> > 6 yr old Emily asked a few weeks ago why Mommy hamsters need Daddy hamsters to > get baby hamsters. I told her that God knew that babies need 2 parents, so he > made us to need a mommy AND a daddy to get a baby. *whew!* I also explained > that the daddy has a seed that he gives to the mommy to help her make a baby > grow in a special place in her tummy.
And what are you going to tell her God was thinking about the first time she makes friends with someone who doesn’t have 2 parents obviously present?
Response:
Krystal, I had the same discussion with my daughter when she was 2 1/2 (when I was pregnant with her sister.) Only difference was I think I used the term "special hug" with her. I used to babysit my cousin’s son, so Susannah was aware of the anatomical differences between girls and boys. (in fact, while her father had her out one day, she proceeded to tell the man in front of her the whats and whys of gender! LOL!) This child let the information I gave her rattle around her head for 3 years, until one day she announced to me that she figured out what the special hug was. I asked her to tell me, and she told me she thought people fit together like puzzles~! WOWZER. We got a book by Carolyn Nystrom, called Before I was Born. It is a very factual book, and it explains the whole process of sex, conception, and birth in terms a child can understand. But it does not sugar coat it. Now, this book is christian, and it promotes the christian belief that sex is for marriage, and it talks about God’s design, etc. But now my child does understand that children can be born outside of marriage, or that daddies die or parents become divorced. With all that children are exposed to these days, thru tv, school, etc, it is wise to prepare them with a thorough understanding of the subject. But I do agree that we answer the questions that they want answered! Or else it is like the joke where billy asks his mom where he came from. After a long discussion about the birds and bees, sex, conception, birth, etc, little Billy exclaims, "Wow! and Joey down the street is only from CLEVELAND!!!" Make sure the information they are asking for is what you are giving! But be sure to give them answers to ALL their questions. Because Hamilton is right. They WILL find it out thru other sources, and the information will not be conveyed in the way you would prefer, and will be half truths at best. Blessings, Tammy
>It is high time a six year old knew the basics of sexual reproduction — >you don’t have to be overly graphic — but her question was a clue to >give her the basic facts of life. If you haven’t by now, someone else >will and soon — and you may be less pleased with how they put it.
It’s no-where near time to fill her in on the garbage whe does not need to know. I told her enough to satisfy her questions. She is a very smart child, and for several days after our night time discussion that I mentioned, she kept asking additinal questions, which I was happy to answer for her. I told her enough: It takes two parents to conceive a child, the daddy gives the mommy a seed, and a baby grows in a special place in the woman’s tummy called her uterus. She asked how the baby came out of the tummy, and I told her the truth. I don’t think a child of 6 needs to know more than this. Perhaps a cultural difference between you and I … I can’t see how modesty is promoted by telling a wee child WAY more than they need to know. I am comfortable answering her questions, and in time I will be comfortable explaining everything else to her. Thanks for your concern for my child’s knowledge of sexual reproduction. Krystal Why is it that if someone tells you that there are 1 billion stars in the universe you believe them, but if they tell you a wall has wet paint you have to touch it to be sure? Eat the "treat" in my address to e-mail me.
Response:
>Yes –everything we do as a mother is RIGHT — chuckle — and thus >we really don’t need to think or read g roups like this for other >points of view. chuckle.
(sarcasm noted) I do not believe that I fly through this parenting thing effortlessly on angel’s wings, making no mistakes. I also do not intend to drag out a needless argument with you about the choices I have made as far as how much information I give my children on the human reproductive system. I am generally an honest, straight forward person, and am thrilled to answer the questions my children ask me. I have seen kids who I think know "too much" and I don’t want my kids to be like them. I have been actively considering what age is best to fill in the rest of the details, and the truth of the matter is that I just think 6 is too young to hear abut *Everything*. I do take into consideration other points of view. And many times, I have gotten advice from others (even in here) that I had not thought of on my own. I suppose that is why most of us are here. I never indicated that MY choices are superior to your choices. But I whole heartedly believe that I have made the right choices for *MY* child as far as what she needs to know at this point in her innocent little life. Krystal Why is it that if someone tells you that there are 1 billion stars in the universe you believe them, but if they tell you a wall has wet paint you have to touch it to be sure? Eat the "treat" in my address to e-mail me.
Response:
>Tammy T. Cline offered: > I used to babysit my cousin’s son, so >Susannah was>aware of the anatomical >differences between girls and boys.
I have two other children, both younger and both boys, Emily has seen them naked, and has verbally noted the differences. > This child let the information >I gave her rattle around her head for 3 years, until one day she announced >to me that she figured out what the special hug was. I asked her to tell >me, and she told me she thought people fit together like puzzles~!
This is just like something Emily would do. She is a thinker. often I have said something one day, then 3 days later, she asks me about it, or explains it back to me just to make sure she understands it right. >We got a book by Carolyn Nystrom, called Before I was Born.
When the time comes, I will look for it! > Now,>this book is christian, and it promotes the christian belief that sex is for >marriage, and it talks about God’s design, etc. But now my child does >understand that children can be born outside of marriage, or that daddies >die or parents become divorced.
Emily has friends who don’t have both parents living with them. But she understands that they have a daddy (or mommy) somewhere… I do not keep her totally in the dark, guys! > But be sure to give them answers to ALL >their>questions.
I have… Because Hamilton is right. They WILL find it out thru other >sources, and the information will not be conveyed in the way you would >prefer, and will be half truths at best.
point taken… Krystal Why is it that if someone tells you that there are 1 billion stars in the universe you believe them, but if they tell you a wall has wet paint you have to touch it to be sure? Eat the "treat" in my address to e-mail me.
Response:
"Can two women get married?" (inspired by a child of lesbian parents) "How do two women have a baby?" (same as above) "What’s an abortion?" "Does a woman get pregnant every time she has sex?" then "Why not?" "How old do you have to be before you can have sex?" "Why are people’s boobs different sizes?" "Why are testicles outside of the body?" "Did you hurt Mom when you did that?" (after seeing a documentary on primates where they showed mating and the female was grimacing) Oy, and she’s not even 8. -Alexis > "Okay Mom, I *know* how the babies come out…….I want to know how they get > Jackie > "Single parent…..who not only is happy about it, but proud of it…."
Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.
Response:
"Okay Mom, I *know* how the babies come out…….I want to know how they get Jackie "Single parent…..who not only is happy about it, but proud of it…."
Response:
4 year old christopher asked yesterday when he saw me getting dressed, and noticed my breasts … "Why do you still have those on?" (since I had explained to the kids that breasts make milk for babies, and I my baby is almost 2!) 6 yr old Emily asked a few weeks ago why Mommy hamsters need Daddy hamsters to get baby hamsters. I told her that God knew that babies need 2 parents, so he made us to need a mommy AND a daddy to get a baby. *whew!* I also explained that the daddy has a seed that he gives to the mommy to help her make a baby grow in a special place in her tummy. Krystal Why is it that if someone tells you that there are 1 billion stars in the universe you believe them, but if they tell you a wall has wet paint you have to touch it to be sure? Eat the "treat" in my address to e-mail me.
Response:
> 4 year old christopher asked yesterday when he saw me getting dressed, and > noticed my breasts … "Why do you still have those on?" > (since I had explained to the kids that breasts make milk for babies, and I my > baby is almost 2!) > 6 yr old Emily asked a few weeks ago why Mommy hamsters need Daddy hamsters to > get baby hamsters. I told her that God knew that babies need 2 parents, so he > made us to need a mommy AND a daddy to get a baby. *whew!* I also explained > that the daddy has a seed that he gives to the mommy to help her make a baby > grow in a special place in her tummy.
It is high time a six year old knew the basics of sexual reproduction — you don’t have to be overly graphic — but her question was a clue to give her the basic facts of life. If you haven’t by now, someone else will and soon — and you may be less pleased with how they put it.
Response:
>It is high time a six year old knew the basics of sexual reproduction — >you don’t have to be overly graphic — but her question was a clue to >give her the basic facts of life. If you haven’t by now, someone else >will and soon — and you may be less pleased with how they put it.
It’s no-where near time to fill her in on the garbage whe does not need to know. I told her enough to satisfy her questions. She is a very smart child, and for several days after our night time discussion that I mentioned, she kept asking additinal questions, which I was happy to answer for her. I told her enough: It takes two parents to conceive a child, the daddy gives the mommy a seed, and a baby grows in a special place in the woman’s tummy called her uterus. She asked how the baby came out of the tummy, and I told her the truth. I don’t think a child of 6 needs to know more than this. Perhaps a cultural difference between you and I … I can’t see how modesty is promoted by telling a wee child WAY more than they need to know. I am comfortable answering her questions, and in time I will be comfortable explaining everything else to her. Thanks for your concern for my child’s knowledge of sexual reproduction. Krystal Why is it that if someone tells you that there are 1 billion stars in the universe you believe them, but if they tell you a wall has wet paint you have to touch it to be sure? Eat the "treat" in my address to e-mail me.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->It is high time a six year old knew the basics of sexual reproduction — >you don’t have to be overly graphic — but her question was a clue to >give her the basic facts of life. If you haven’t by now, someone else >will and soon — and you may be less pleased with how they put it. > It’s no-where near time to fill her in on the garbage whe does not need to > know. I told her enough to satisfy her questions. She is a very smart child, > and for several days after our night time discussion that I mentioned, she kept > asking additinal questions, which I was happy to answer for her. > I told her enough: It takes two parents to conceive a child, the daddy gives > the mommy a seed, and a baby grows in a special place in the woman’s tummy > called her uterus. She asked how the baby came out of the tummy, and I told > her the truth. > I don’t think a child of 6 needs to know more than this. Perhaps a cultural > difference between you and I … I can’t see how modesty is promoted by telling > a wee child WAY more than they need to know. I am comfortable answering her > questions, and in time I will be comfortable explaining everything else to her. > Thanks for your concern for my child’s knowledge of sexual reproduction.
Yes –everything we do as a mother is RIGHT — chuckle — and thus we really don’t need to think or read g roups like this for other points of view. chuckle. You are naive if you think a 6 year old will not ere long be hearing a whole lot more than you want her to know apparently. I believe that kids are better off always having known the simple biological facts — so that when they get the porn from their friends, it is old hat — and they can correct them if necessary. Hell, I am downright ancient and I remember what I learned from my friends when I was six — sitting up there in that tree we had climbed — years before my mother divulged what she thought was ‘news’ to me. And of course much of what I learned in that uptight little Christian community filled with nice girls and boys was grossly distorted and rather scarey. I can’t imagine things are dramatically different in 1999 in a world that is whole lot more obsessed with sex.
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