Oh dear. Skating very close to *the talk* with 6 yr old...

[thebananawitchproject]

I try to be as straight and honest with my DD as I can when she asks questions and when ever the talk about 'where babies come from' rears it's head, I've managed so far to skate around the 'nuts and bolts' quite nicely, she's happy with what I've said and goes on her merry way . However, tonight, she asked me how a baby gets into it's mummy's tummy. Started off OK, explained about there being an egg and a seed, and then a baby, 9 mths later out they pop. Then she asked how the seed meets the egg. And I didn't have a clue what to say! She wasn't happy as I do usually give her an answer and I just couldn't find the words. I've tried getting age appropriate books, got the one 'mummy laid an egg' one and when I saw it, and read it, just thought it was too much for my wee sweet, innocent, angelic baby. I just can't bring myself to give her the full picture, yet I can't keep avoiding this one.

Help?

Similar thread in chat, here

Oh dear.

Well, it would probably help ease her confusion if you told her that babies don't grow in a mummy's tummy, they grow in a special place called a womb and there is an opening from the womb into the world in between a female's legs and that is how the seed gets in and how the baby gets out.

I don't get the who telling children a baby grows in mummy's tummy.

Good luck with letting go of your DD and seeing her as a growing inquisitive child rather than a baby! You can still keep her sweet and innocent, I promise! She doesn't need to know everything.

DD is 4. She's known for a very long time where babies come from. It's just facts to them. Nothing giggly or awkward about it, no loss of innocence. It's just reproduction. No more awkward than digestion or breathing. DD could perhaps come round and explain it for you? Honestly, she's breathtakingly vocal about my emcs and how big a placenta really is. When you're eating usually.

There is no loss of innocence knowing the facts.

You don't have to explain foreplay or orgasms, S&M or porn. Just the facts

I was always determined to be as straight as you showofhands I've just managed to fail spectacularly. We have a book about 'your body' that has no mention of the reproductive system (wasn't a conscious choice, just once I picked up and thought it would help with her understanding of her body) and she is blissfully ignorant of the whole subject. Time to invest in another, more detailed, book methinks. Will start with the 'womb' bit and go from there. I just know that as soon as I open that door, the millions of questions that will follow will just floor me. Somebody slap me...

We used the 'Mummy Laid An Egg' book which now sits (well-thumbed) on the shelf in case either child wants another look.

I did have an interesting conversation with dd(8) today though when she overheard a friend (of mine) say had needed several doctors to remove her coil.

You don't have to explain foreplay or orgasms, S&M or porn. Just the facts

It shouldn't be this hard should it?

No it shouldn't!

The longer you leave it the worse it will get!

Just tell her. Honestly it's not that big a thing.

Have to admit I am trying to introduce the idea of recreational sex to DS who is nearly 8 after he said "so you and Daddy did that twice to make DD and me" as that isn't exactly the truth but I think he still thinks I am making something up . Also found myself discussing contraception and again him having the look of about his face.

You know what? I think I'm going to bite the bullet and sit down with her with the 'mummy laid an egg' book. I did wince a bit with the skateboard etc. but I can't keep avoiding it. Just need to find the damn thing, it's been 'hiding in plain sight' for months.

It's the face I'm dreading. That's usually a sign for millions of questions.

just tell her!! why wouldnt you?

oh and be sure to get your vulva and vagina in the right place

festi my 6 yr old ties me up in knots when I'm trying to explain the big bang theory (she's fascinated with how and when earth started - I know feck all about that stuff), or why the dinosaurs died out (ditto dinosaurs), or what a historical figure is (again, well known people from the past intrigue her lots). That shit is easy compared to explaining the facts of life. I guess I have ishoos stemming from what I was told, and how, by my parents. I still squirm at the thought of my dad questioning me about sex while he was cooking dinner (the day after my mum decided to tell me all after I already knew from friends), and also explaining how and why he got the snip...

sounds like me dd, she will know if you are bull shitting her.

they ask once told the truth, often dont ask again. if they ask and spun a lie they keep at it untill told the truth. just do it.

you will apreciate you little bundfle of knowledge far more when you are honest with them.

google and library if you dont know.