At what age would you give your child the sex talk?

When they start to understand things around them. About 7 to prepare them.

I am atheist. This was a decision made from years of thought. My children are not guided toward any particular religion and can choose their own religion at will. Having said that, I gave my oldest child (who is now 10) the sex talk at age 6. She is way smart beyond her years. I basically told her about sperm, the egg, and insertion of the penis into the vagina. We have always called our privates vagina or penis. As she has gotten older and has asked more direct questions I have answered them as she asks. I have just had the very basic sex talk with my son who is 7. I have not yet given my youngest (6) her talk yet because she has not shown any interest. I was molested at age 10 by an uncle and feel it very necessary to inform children about improper touching which has led to sidelined sex talks. I believe it is basically the child that decides when the talk should take place as every child is different in their ability to understand things differently.

As a Roman Catholic I believe parents are the best adults to introduce their children to the reality of our sexual being. A parent can begin with their child even before they go to school when a young child begins to ask questions about body parts, etc.

Parents can be more gentle, and know what their child can and cannot handle. The "sex talk" is a life talk and what better basis for it's introduction in life then the family unit. When it is a one on one or two on one discussion the child, preteen or teen hear and therefore understand more when it comes from someone they know and love.

I wouldn't have one talk, I would always be open about that sort of thing. I would only start being open after age 10, OR whenever my child actually has seen or heard something about sex and gets curious. I want to do all I can to ensure any future children of mine are comfortable with their seuxality AND know how to take precautions. Kids are dumb, and if they want to have sex - they will, regardless of what you've told them. So you might as well tell them worthwhile information like how to use a condom.

I'm agnostic atheist, and yes I can be both at the same time, so I would appreciate it if people would stop telling me I can't.

I think parents should talk to their children about important family and life values throughout their entire life regardless of religion. It builds trust and friendship between the child and parent.

When it comes to talking to them about sex it should be not according to their age but maturity.

Some children do not understand or cannot picture this in their mind emotionally, whereas other children understand at an early or appropriate age.

The importance of talking to any child is to make them feel comfortable about this most delicate subject, and most of all to be a good listener.

Both parent/guardian and the child should feel open and know sex is normal, it's special, and it's not to be used over and over again promiscuously, but in a respectful way.

This will not only teach them to respect their partner, but most importantly to respect themselves and take responsibility.

Children hear so much at school and with friends they meet and hang out with, that it can be not only overwhelming and scary, but if you don't talk to your children as their confidante - they could very well be pressured into having sex to soon or unwillingly just to "fit in with the crowd".

I think if you wait too long, your child will hear if from another source that may be outside your family values or morals, and then it may be too late.

If you want to check out an excellent book to help you, turn to the authors Kline and Faye.

They master this subject for teens as well as other important life skills.

If you as a parent are asking this question online - maybe you're feeling it's time.

If you're still not sure - ask a school counselor, teacher, family doctor or check out books at your local library.

Good luck. Good question!

Age 10 or 11. The public schools are going to have some type of talk when they are in the 5th grade and they are going to start to ask questions. Christian

well it depends on the gender of thus child

if your child is a girl then i would do it earlier because girls mature faster then boys and they get there "monthly gift " and they need to be prepaired for that so probably like 10

for boys maybe 12 because in schools they give the talk around grade 7/8 so i would think you would want to tell them before that simply because then you know they fully understand it but if they learn in school they could possibly be taught stuff that is morally wrong

(im a Christian)

there are a few books that you could read to your children that are huge helps in explaining everything :P

go to the christian bookstore and ask about them they will show them to you and theyre pretty informative :P

The sex talk?

I taught my child at a very young age that the word sex was not a dirty word. If its asked on forms (check the appropriate box), then how could it be a dirty word? And I taught him many other words. I taught him to read words on his own and realize words in and of themselves are neither good words nor bad words, but beware of people who try to make them so.

My religion? Realist.

I'd give them the sex talk when they ask and when they are old enough to understand. But I would start as young as possible to tell them that people should never ask them to touch their sexual organs and that if anyone tries or (God forbid) succeeds they must tell me immediately no matter what the perpertator says to them about keeping silent. And I'd keep drilling it into them. The last thing I want is to be one of those parents whose kids are being sexually abused and not know.

Agnostic

As soon as they start asking I would answer with age appropriate answers. The talk would be ongoing through the child's life. Giving children the knowledge about their bodies empowers them by showing they are respected and trusted with the truth about their own body and in turn they will learn to respect and trust themselves when it comes to making important decisions when the time comes.

any age you want really the sooner the better. i say like 8 or 9 to get it out of the way and so that your child sees sex as something that is accepted or else they will have problems with it and think its dirty which you really dont want that because it leads to anxiety and depression etc. i mean kids have vaginas and penises, they know what happens already they just need you to clear it up and you know be there to guide their thoughts its not like youre showing them a porno just say something like when a mom and dad are financially stable (lol) and bored with life (LOL) they usually have sex which leads to a kid whom they love and cherish and want to raise for the rest of their lives i dont think you need to explain the technicalities like positions or what the heck a prostate is just keep it kinda simple and also funny