How old are they when you start telling them about sex?

[flubdub]

And also, what 'touching' is right and wrong?
My ds1 is three yrs, so prob a bit young, but I was just wondering.

I have already chatted aboout some stuff with my dd who is also 3.

She has a younger brother so a certain amount of interest was sparked then.

Actually through her questions I have told her,

that babies are grown in a woman's womb
that it takes a daddy's seed and a mummy's egg to mix and make a baby
that babies need only milk from mummy (usually but not always )
that other animals grow in animals wombs
that plants grow from seeds
that chicks and crocodiles grow from eggs
that babies come out of women's vaginas when everyone's ready

and lots more I expect.

Thing is don't listen to me necessarily, people have such different views on this, you need to decide what you are comfortable with.

I would say be honest and accurate (though child-friendly language) if she asks. otherwise go with the flow.

There are many very good books I can list if you're interested.

TOUching - At this age I only said that her vulva, eyes, and bottom are hers and she gets to choose what happens to them (and then I roleplayed some useful ways out of awkward situations with friends etc) and that she must be careful because they can be hurt by poking.

hth

gawd, i think id scare ds if i told him all that.

The best advice I've seen (From MB!) is to wait till they ask, and answer the question in terms they can understand at that stage, but don't try to tell them everything at once - the next question will follow when they've assimilated the previous one.

They often do start to ask about 3, with "where did I come from?" or queries about bumps and new babies, so it's as well to think about how you want to address it ahead of time.

The "touching" one is tricky, but I always told DS he didn't have to let people touch or hug or kiss him if he didn't want to, even family, which keeps it simple.