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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Does this mean it's time to have the birds and bees chat with DS (7)? Advice needed!

4 replies

Lacreon · 13/04/2014 17:09

To cut a long and excruciating story short, DS just came out and told me (in front of the neighbour I'd just met - cringe!!!) that he's "humped" his brother. This is because (I presume) we have a puppy that went around humping everything for a while, but he doesn't obviously understand what this means. But this makes me wonder if it's time to have a very basic chat with him about what's what? He's coming up for 8 and I'm sure I sort of knew the basics at that age but if he's going to say things like that I'm thinking that this is a sign to explain.

Do you think that it's too early? Any advice for how to handle it? I remember my mum getting The Body Book by Claire Rayner and giving it to me to read and I was thinking of maybe doing similar?

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ThreeLannistersOneTargaryen · 13/04/2014 17:17

At nearly eight, he may have already heard a fair amount of misinformation and myth from his peers. All is not lost though, you can still give him some correct information and open up the lines of communication so he feels comfortable asking you further questions in the future.

ThreeLannistersOneTargaryen · 13/04/2014 17:20

There is a series of books called Let's Talk by Robie Harris that we found useful. The first is aimed at young children (under 8), the second at late primary age and the third at secondary age. They cover the same topics but in increasing depth. They are accurate and non-cringy.

ThreeLannistersOneTargaryen · 13/04/2014 17:22

We didn't have one single 'talk' with them, it was more a series of conversations. DS2 started asking very specific questions when he was 3 and DS1 (14) still asks us the meanings of words he hears on TV or at school.

defineme · 13/04/2014 17:23

Lots of kids get words mixed up-don't worry too much. Can't you just have a chat, see how much he knows and what he wants to know?

I started telling my kids very basic stuff at age 4, but they're still capable of misunderstanding/ mixing up words- confusing testicles with cuticles was a memorable one!

If you're going to use sexual words like 'humping' you do need to explain them and make clear they're inappropriate in other circumstances.

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