How to explain 'where babies come from' to 6 year old

[WashnGoGoGo]

DS is 6. I've always said I will just talk to my children about sex in an age appropriate manner and not let it be a 'thing' but I failed at this

So twice recently DS (age 6, year 1) has asked where do babies come from. And I basically fudged it and distracted him - I'm not impressed with myself and want to rectify. Thing is I'm just not sure what to say to him? What is age appropriate for 6? It's the mechanics that I can't decide how much to say. We already talk about different families/ two mummies/two daddies/single parents etc. And we talk about consent in a basic form such as listening to people, stop as soon as someone asks you to. Even if the person isn't able to speak (talking about baby sibling but trying to plant the seen for later life) you must still stop if it's not clear they are happy etc. He's clear on the pants rule and secrets vs surprises so it really is just how much and what to say re babies that I'm struggling with - please don't judge too harshly!!

Ah Palominoo my parents bought me that book as a child!

Can't recommend Mummy Laid an Egg high enough.

Here is a video of the book, simple, factual and I definitely started this at maybe 4? My children can't remember being told how babies are made, it is like knowing that the thing on your face is a nose, it is something you have always known.

This thread title reminded me of a thread on here a few months back where the mum explained periods to her children by saying she needed a 'bottom plaster'

But sorry back on to the actual question, I'd be factual and honest but very brief and simple. Lots of books aimed at younger children to help explain

We have The Body Book as I had it as a child.

DS (5) has known about egg and sperm for a good year but the pictures in the book helped us move on to how that actually happens.

I told my 6 & 8 year old DDs quite literally when they asked. Just the basic, simple facts. They were so horrified and disgusted they never asked again!

I did the same as Stompy, because, whyever not??

this thread might be useful too

From their mummy's tummy might be all you need to say.

I do have a memory from school of a teacher asking if we knew where babies came from and one child said, "the Coop"

I literally just had this from my 4 yo in the car! I knew I didn't want to make up nonsense but wasn't sure how much to say so decided on the mummy has an egg and the daddy has sperm and you need both to make the baby. He just nodded then moved on to telling me about dinosaurs.

Actu I'm having the same problem with DD. I asked her teacher about it and she said tell her what we want but just say to her that not all her friend's parents will have told her yet so not too say anything.

My 3 year old is asking questions around this - mostly around how a baby comes out. I told her it came out via the vagina (or tummy) because that’s a basic fact! She thought it was great and then went on to something else. If she asks about how a baby gets there I’ll tell her about that with facts.

For those who feel embarrassed about this, why is this? It’s basic things about how humans work!

This thread is fab, thank you to everyone who commented. He definitely wanted to know about how the baby got made - he already knows that babies grow in their mummy's tummy and come out of the vagina so this question was about how the baby gets in!

I'm defiantly going to talk to him about eggs and seed/sperm and then if he asks more I will discuss PIV etc. Much appreciated.

'Bottom plaster' is a terrible way to explain sanitary products. You put plasters on wounds which is not what a period is and potentially could make children quite worried and a period does not come from your bottom.

Why can't people just be honest? You wouldn't like or fudge about other aspects of the human body and doing that is confusing or frightening and suggests sex is mysterious or wrong. It also shows you're uncomfortable talking about it which is very unhelpful if you want your children to be honest with you when they're older.

This thread reminded me that when i told my son about sex when he was around 5/6 hey guffawed and said "That's so funny...you and Dad have done that TWICE!"

I’m just honest but keep the details very light. If they want more information I’ll offer it.

Where do babies come from?
They grow in a special bit of a mummies tummy called the uterus (point to lower half of tummy).

But how does the baby get there?
It’s made from a little bit of the mummy called the egg. And a little bit of the daddy called the sperm.

But how does the daddy bit get there?
If the child is really young - special mummy daddy cuddles. The explaination gets more detailed depending on the age of the child.

I’m comfortable talking to my kids about sex but I find they lose interest quite rapidly (they are 8 and 5).