Anyone know a good website for sex education for 9 year olds?

[LittleBella]

At mumsnet instigation, I just asked DS if he had had sex education, knew where babies came from etc.

No, not a clue. Came out with cock and bull (so to speak) such as "you have to get married" and "maybe when people die they get their skin and breathe it in and it makes a baby" (a rather gruesome interpretation of the circle of life) and it becomes clear that he really doesn't have a clue, contrary to people on mn assuring me he would already know by now. He doesn't! So what websites would you recommend? I've got Where Willy Went but that's a bit too babyish I think.

I think nooka's right. Just being matter of fact and open is great and natural. You're not sexualising your kids or taking their innocence, you're simply telling them something pretty basic about life. Having said that, I agree with other posts, as some kids definitely don't ask and genuinely aren't curious. What nobody else has said yet is that some children won't ask because they're embarrassed. My SIL swore blind her kids weren't curious, but her son asked me at 10 because he didn't think it was something he could ask his mum or dad. I don't think they're especially closed, but it was just how he felt. Also it's often far more embarrassing for a kid over ten to talk openly/ ask questions, than for a little one. When they're little, it's way in the future for them, so they just enjoy the facts and take it in their stride.

ds1 is 8. i was also told off on here for not having told him.

he has still not asked any questions despite me trying to lead into it several times!

Dont let anyone tell you off. I dont think you are that unusual.

I've only been in the US for 6 months, and I haven't discussed this topic with friends here, so wouldn't know if they are more or less reserved here - I would suspect less to be honest. We are just moving up to Canada so I'll let you know my thoughts on that if you like! My upbringing has certainly influenced me, and my sister's experiences in bringing up her older children probably more. My children it has to be said are very curious about pretty much everything! DD who is reading over my shoulder says she thinks "I should have told he, and I did" I guess my main question would be why not? I've never sat them down for a talk, and I think that's part of the problem in waiting, in that it becomes a big deal, instead of just something to chat about as you go along. The amount a small child wants to know is fairly limited, so you get to add to their knowledge a little bit at a time, rather than set it all out in a planned sort of way.

I wouldn't like my child to find out about sex through a website or a book. I would prefer to tell them myself. Sure, go onto websites for tips, but surely you are the best person to tell them? It's not something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about, and if you act like it is then they will get embarrassed and will shy away from asking for advice.

It's not that difficult. You explain it in a way that they will understand. So for example, with dd who is 8, she knows that a man puts his penis into the woman and out of the penis comes sperm which then fertilises the little egg inside the woman. We've explained that this is called sex or making love, and that grown-ups who love each other very much do this. Sometimes they do it to have a baby and sometimes they do it to show each other how much they love them. It's a special grown-up love.

Hopefully by being open and honest with her, she'll come to us if she has any questions. As she gets older we'll tell her more.