Birds and Bees?

[alwaysknackered]

When is the best time to start talking about the facts of life? my seven year old has asked a couple of times what the condom machines in the gents' toilets are? Any good books to try?

personally I think 7 is too late, so start now!
does dc know about sperm, egg, how they get together. When he asks about the condom machine you just need a straightforward explaination of conception and prevention.
Not sure about books for that age group, but I am sure someone will point you in the right direction.

Oh gawd! All the biological detail as well? No, he doesn't know about sperm/egg etc. Once he knows about this, would it spell the end of baths shared with his 4 year ols sister?

I have no idea, mine are both boys, just 5 and 21mo. The 5yo knows about sperm, egg, sperm joining egg, egg growing to baby, baby coming out. He knows that the mans penis goes into the womans vagina (though he would use willy and probably wouldn't remember vagina), he also knows that this is something that adults do when they love each other and that you can do something (he has been told brief details of a condom, but nothing else, and probably wouldn't remember this) to stop a baby being started.
To me telling him this (when he asked the questions) is as straightforward as telling him about muscles, skin cells, heart etc

There is a really good Babette Cole book, mummy laid an egg but it might be a bit babyish for your DS.

I didn't use a book but a cd rom called "Growing up and keeping safe". It has lots of great features on puberty for all ages and I felt it was much better than a book. It also has other sections like bullying and internet safety, may be worth checking out this website for more info

You really think 7 is too late? Subject has never come up with my two DD 8 and DS 6, although have discussed periods with DD recently.

I'd better start thinking about having a chat about stuff soon but I was hoping to put it off until she was 23 or something !!

I think just talk about it in a factual way
e.g. when grown up people are in love with each other they have sex with each other and if they don't want to have a baby they might use a condom.
but I agree you should probably start with the sperm and egg thing first
I would say most seven year olds would be curious tbh but I don't see why knowledge wuld make joint baths a no-no