According to Dr. Louanne Cole Weston, parents often ask her how old should a child be before they can discuss sex. Well, her advice is always, "Younger than you think."
Surprising as it may seem, Dr. Weston said parents become "obvious go-to person" whenever a child has questions. The good news is, you don't have to give a big talk while discussing it. And to help you prepare ahead of time, here are some of the few things you should remember before you talk to your kids about sex.
Address the topic properly
"Parents should never avoid teachable moment," Dr. Weston said. If your child has some awkward questions, don't change the subject. Instead, give your child an accurate answer. For one, when your child ask how does she get out of your body? Don't say, "You came down from heaven." Instead, give your child the appropriate answer, "Through a special opening between my legs. That's why it's there." Doing this can send a message to your young one that the topic of sex is something not to be avoided.
Name all the body parts
According to Dr.Phil, as early as three years old, kids will begin to explore their body parts. Hence, parents should give clear answers to their kids like that's a penis or a vagina. He said parents should use the proper antonym names to avoid confusion for the children.
Moreover, don't make your child feel shameful about himself by judging him and reacting negatively. Remember, your little one is just curious about his body, so be precise with your answers.
Be the best person to talk to
Parents should not dismiss their kids when they ask about sex. Dr. Phil said children between ages 9 to 11 will eventually ask about sexual intercourse. Thus, you should give your kid basic sex education. You should let your curious kid understand that "sexuality is a form of pleasure" and it will begin to "form romantic feelings, crushes and as a parent. Just answer your kid properly to avoid an uncomfortable conversation.
Talking to young children about sex and sexuality may not be easy. Nevertheless, it can help set clear expectations and boundaries for them.
