to ask how to teach the facts of life to my 4.5 year old

[whoneedssleepanyway]

have had the questions, how does a baby get out of your tummy, how does the baby get in there.

gave a very brief explanation but i know there will be more questions coming. can any of you recommend a book i can read to her that explains this easily.

would you believe it i did biology at degree level but struggled to explain this to my 4.5 year old....DD1 who is nearly 7 has never asked so probably ought to find something to read to both of them.

I used the 'daddies magic seed' until dd3 aged 5 asked her older teen brothers if daddy put the seed in mummies mouth which she swallowed to grow the baby in her tummy.

cue horrified teen angst.

there are lots of books out there op. 'mummy laid an egg' is a goodie.

answer Qs honestly but simply, do not overload with info, gauge their reaction and whether they want to know more or are satisfied with what you have said. Do not fob off with half truths or lies. At this age they are not embarrassed or grossed out by any of it, just very accepting. talking openly now will enable them to trust you & talk to you about important issues when they are teens.

We have the book mummy laid an egg - lots of questions after arrival of DC3 and DD1 (5) wanted to know exact how the seed from daddy got into the mummy... And I was finding it difficult to keep a straight face when she asked if you swallowed it!!

Just answer as honestly and simply as you can when they ask and show an interest. Had an interesting conversation last week after my 8yr old came back from the loos in the pub and asked what condemns were. So far my children have been able to ask me these things which I feel is good - nothing was ever discussed when I was growing up, nothing - not even periods etc.

Or "condoms" even!

At the moment I have simply said women make an egg every month and with help from daddy this can grow into a baby.

as to how it comes out i said the baby pushes out down below between mummy's legs.

total cop out i know but they started giggling, will look at these books and get one!

we have mummy laid an egg. I skip quickly over the pages showing how mummies and daddies fit together
mine are five and six
They will need more detail soon. I had The Body Book by Claire Rayner when i was a child but don't know if it's still in print

oh yes and I answer all direct questions truthfully but without great detail.

I wouldn't give any info to such young children unless they ask you directly...in which case be simple and truthful.

that's why you should never swallow!!

DS (also 4) knows that men have 2 holes between their legs, one for wee, and one for poo, and that ladies have 3, one at the front for wee, one at the back for poo and one in the middle for a baby to come out of. He's also seen me go to the loo when I'm on my period so knows that ladies get blood from the hole where a baby comes out and that shows the lady she can have a baby if she wants you.

I think I'd start with that sort of detail and then build up to how the baby got in there as I'm still pondering how to answer that one, but we also have a copy of Mummy laid an egg so that may come into its own.

I try and give a proper answer to any questions I'm asked as DS would know if he's being fobbed off, but in an age appropriate way.

eww no didn't do holes!! too Steven Hawkins for me!

Tweenies accidentally solved this one for us once. (Milo running sex ed? I hear you cry, Noooo!) They ran a video of a lamb being born and my DS (then about 4) was utterly fascinated. 'Do babies get born the same way?'... easy answer 'Yes!' Brilliant conversation-starter.

How did I begin? Is a good book. Not as funny as babette cole but clearer!

I like the idea of using animals as an example.
Hopefully you'll do a better job than me OP. DS started asking about this aged 3! After my explanation he asked very loudly in front of all the other mums at nursery what a man's seed tastes like when you swallow it .