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AIBU?

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Original poster

To casually explain a normal part of an animals reproductive process to a child in public

36 replies

SpringSunshineanddaffodils · 08/04/2025 17:20

At a farm park today and while looking at the newborn lambs and the very pregnant sheep my DD (7) asked "how do her babies get out of her tummy" and I answered "she pushes them out of her vagina, like we do" DD said "oh" and that was that.
I glanced up and noticed an older couple next to me with what I assume were their grandchildren giving each other shocked glances.
We moved on and I don't think they knew we were still nearby because I heard her say something like "what is wrong with people, children have got no innocence any more"
WIBU to have explained this in public in this way?

OP posts:
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sanityisamyth · 08/04/2025 21:52

Our entire year 7 saw reproduction in action at Longleat in the lion enclosure. They were on a coach through the safari. They mentioned it in lessons for weeks!

Whatsgoingonherethenagain · 08/04/2025 21:40

derxa · 08/04/2025 18:29

Quite right. We’ve just finished lambing. We spend lots of time observing sheep’s back ends. The common observations are ‘slime out’ ‘bag’s out’ ‘two feet and a head’ etc. You can see lots of lambs being born on farming Twitter threads. If you feel it’s appropriate you could show your daughter one of those. Seeing lambs being born never gets old.

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For some reason algorithms are showing me lots of lambing stuff.

very invested in Wonky the lamb from Tiree tea! Got some riz that one 😂

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdNrySaF/

TikTok - Make Your Day

https://www.tiktok.com/@tireetea/video/7487564659696864534?_t=ZN-8vN4295sjtG&_r=1

Original poster
SpringSunshineanddaffodils · 08/04/2025 21:34

EarthlyNightshade · 08/04/2025 18:49

I'm thinking my 7 year old (now a teen) probably didn't know the word vagina and probably didn't know how humans gave birth.
Not all children are curious about stuff like that so maybe the GPs didn't want to have to go into it on their watch.
What you tell your own DD is fine though.

Is your child a girl?

OP posts:
EarthlyNightshade · 08/04/2025 18:49

I'm thinking my 7 year old (now a teen) probably didn't know the word vagina and probably didn't know how humans gave birth.
Not all children are curious about stuff like that so maybe the GPs didn't want to have to go into it on their watch.
What you tell your own DD is fine though.

MrsHamlet · 08/04/2025 18:41

derxa · 08/04/2025 18:29

Quite right. We’ve just finished lambing. We spend lots of time observing sheep’s back ends. The common observations are ‘slime out’ ‘bag’s out’ ‘two feet and a head’ etc. You can see lots of lambs being born on farming Twitter threads. If you feel it’s appropriate you could show your daughter one of those. Seeing lambs being born never gets old.

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I visited my favourite a farming lad during lambing in work experience. He was gutted that his top yow didn't give birth whilst I was there.

I did get lamb cuddles though.

It was incredible to see him doing his thing.

Shirtless · 08/04/2025 18:30

I find it deeply perverse that some people link ‘innocence’ to ‘not knowing the mechanics of sex’. It’s as arbitrary as deciding innocence is based on not bringing able to read phonics, or grasp the basics of multiplication.

derxa · 08/04/2025 18:29

SpringSunshineanddaffodils · 08/04/2025 18:15

I wanted to be thorough and accurate. I know my DD. I knew if I did not give a full and satisfactory answer, she would grill me until I did. It's second nature now 😆

Show quote history

Quite right. We’ve just finished lambing. We spend lots of time observing sheep’s back ends. The common observations are ‘slime out’ ‘bag’s out’ ‘two feet and a head’ etc. You can see lots of lambs being born on farming Twitter threads. If you feel it’s appropriate you could show your daughter one of those. Seeing lambs being born never gets old.

Crudd99 · 08/04/2025 18:24

You used the appropriate words for explaining a natural process. Would they have preferred you to use 'porn' like words. I'd rather hear the correct anatomical words to explain. Even I cringe as an adult at the words like pussy and cock I hate them( non intended pun). In this day and age vagina was getting off lightly .

derxa · 08/04/2025 18:20

FOJN · 08/04/2025 18:03

I'm now resisting the impulse to Google and find out if ewes vaginas are called something else.

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It is a vagina if you google sheep reproduction system.

Orangemintcream · 08/04/2025 18:16

I mean it’s a farm. All manner of things go on in the animal kingdom - many of which little children ask questions about.

I feel such questions should be answered as you did in an age appropriate way.

It’s ridiculous to be offended in an environment when any moment one of the animals may start shagging another - and potentially not even the same species.

Original poster
SpringSunshineanddaffodils · 08/04/2025 18:15

derxa · 08/04/2025 17:55

Never in my 66 years have I heard anyone say vagina in relation to a sheep. And I’ve seen 1000’s of sheep’s vaginas🤣

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I wanted to be thorough and accurate. I know my DD. I knew if I did not give a full and satisfactory answer, she would grill me until I did. It's second nature now 😆

OP posts:
derxa · 08/04/2025 18:14

RobertaFirmino · 08/04/2025 17:59

How would you refer to it? Is it called the 'birth canal' or something like that?

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We don’t call it anything because there’s no need. I’m sure the vet would use’vagina’ in unusual circumstances such as anatomical abnormality.

SparkyBlue · 08/04/2025 18:13

JeremiahBullfrog · 08/04/2025 17:58

Two hundred years ago every child knew this.

Absolutely this. It's ridiculous that people equate knowing basic facts about the human body as somehow loosing innocence or some such nonsense. They'd have a heart attack in my house as autistic 9 year old DS loves facts and is a fountain of knowledge on all sorts of random stuff

Miaowzabella · 08/04/2025 18:12

No doubt that lady's children and grandchildren were conceived and born by intervention of the Holy Ghost.

Snorlaxo · 08/04/2025 18:09

Yanbu

I don’t understand how knowing scientific info like that equals a loss of innocence.

Original poster
SpringSunshineanddaffodils · 08/04/2025 18:08

BoredZelda · 08/04/2025 17:57

Why do you care what they thought? Would you change what you said?

Natural curiosity and no.

OP posts:
LordEmsworth · 08/04/2025 18:07

Aibu... To casually explain a normal part of an animal's reproductive process to a child in public* *

Thanks for clarifying that the child in question was, in fact, your own and not a random one you buttonholed for a "casual explanation"😁

Shelllendyouhertoothbrushtoo · 08/04/2025 18:04

The sheep fairy godmother comes and cleanly magics them from the mummy onto the grass next to her. Then they start a country dance to celebrate the occasion.

Why would facts ruin a child's innocence? My son asked me loudly in a swimming pool queue if babies come out of your tummy button. I told him we'd discussed this and they come out of the mum's vagina or can be cut out of the tummy sometimes. He asked me if he could see my vagina. I stopped it there obviously.

NotDarkGothicMama · 08/04/2025 18:03

YANBU. It's not a dirty secret, just a normal part of life.

FOJN · 08/04/2025 18:03

derxa · 08/04/2025 17:55

Never in my 66 years have I heard anyone say vagina in relation to a sheep. And I’ve seen 1000’s of sheep’s vaginas🤣

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I'm now resisting the impulse to Google and find out if ewes vaginas are called something else.

MrsHamlet · 08/04/2025 18:02

derxa · 08/04/2025 17:55

Never in my 66 years have I heard anyone say vagina in relation to a sheep. And I’ve seen 1000’s of sheep’s vaginas🤣

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One of my my farming lads referred to "t'yow's passage"

Monvelo · 08/04/2025 18:01

Ha ha no it's fine imo. This is an opportunity to share that my 10 year old just explained wet dreams to my 7 year old, which was a bit unexpected! Apparently they covered it at school today...

RobertaFirmino · 08/04/2025 17:59

derxa · 08/04/2025 17:55

Never in my 66 years have I heard anyone say vagina in relation to a sheep. And I’ve seen 1000’s of sheep’s vaginas🤣

Show quote history

How would you refer to it? Is it called the 'birth canal' or something like that?

JeremiahBullfrog · 08/04/2025 17:58

Two hundred years ago every child knew this.

BoredZelda · 08/04/2025 17:57

Why do you care what they thought? Would you change what you said?