When our kids were just learning to talk, my wife and I decided whenever possible we'd do our best to honestly and fully answer any question they asked us. Thrying to be thorough, it's funny how often we'd run up against the walls of particle physics or molecular biology!

Fast forward to some years later, when I said to my teens something like, "I was wondering why you guys never asked us about sex?" My eldest responded along the lines, "I think learned our lesson when you scarred us for life after we made the mistake of asking you where babies came from when we were in kindergarten. You wouldn't shut up. I think at one point you even used visual aids. We would have been satisfied to hear that a baby grows in mommy's belly when a mommy and daddy love each other!"

Whenever we are watching TV, and one of those public service ads come on urging parents to talk to their kids about sex/drugs/smoking/etc., I'll turn to whichever kids are in the room with me and say, "Hey, are you doing drugs/having sex/etc.? Want to talk about it?"

I think they are going to hurt themselves rolling their eyes so violently!

Too funny - we have our fair share of eye rolling around here. The explanation we used when they were little was that when two people love each other and decide they want a baby they "get together" and it seemed to answer their questions at the time - Whew!

I do remember reading articles about not "over-answering" their questions when they are young.

quote:

Originally posted by Shore Thing:
I'm not sure I understand your objections. The messages our youth are being inundated on TV, movies, music and society in general are overwhelmingly destructive to childhood and innocence. Certainly, the home and church is where values should be taught, however a little back up can't hurt. Anything that gives a child pause or opens up a conversation, even at the dinner table, is OK with me. There is a lot of bad stuff out there and our kids are being exposed younger and younger. Yes, even in Glen Ellyn.
P.S. The program costs the district nothing.

As has already been said, you get what you pay for. And when they had Wendell at Hadley parents weren't notified of his presentation. When it came up at home a cursory internet search showed that "Wendell" was sponsored (funded) by places that do not provide accurate information on birth control and family planning options. He did not seem to provide a balanced, educational, view of the subject matter. That doesn't tend to open conversation up, it shuts it down.

quote:

Originally posted by GEmom2:
Too funny - we have our fair share of eye rolling around here. The explanation we used when they were little was that when two people love each other and decide they want a baby they "get together" and it seemed to answer their questions at the time - Whew!

I do remember reading articles about not "over-answering" their questions when they are young.

I answered the question honestly and directly both times I was asked the specific question of how babies actually got OUT. Both times - different children - I was accused of being a bold faced liar.
I also ask them when it comes up in media if we need to talk to about sex/drugs/etc... they don't find it as entertaining as we do.

quote:

Q: Are you abstinent if you masturbate?
A: You can not contract an STD from masturbating; however, the reality of it is that very often masturbation is closely connected with the use of pornography, and therefore, for the same reasons as above, it is not emotionally or mentally healthy or safe.[/I]

How do they keep the pages from getting ruined in the shower?