Sex education at age 3?

[VodkaAndTonic]

My DD1 is 3.5 and in keeping with her age, curious and full of questions.

Recently, on holiday, she came, into the bathroom with me whilst I used the loo and had to put a tampon in. I did it discreetly, but she spotted my manoeuvre and was all "what's that in your hand?" and "why have you put something in your bottom?".

Leaving aside the issue of correct body part names for another thread, in this situation would you:

a) gloss over it and try distraction
b) give an age appropriate but true answer - and if so, what is the age appropriate answer?

I feel like the Facts of Life are probably more shocking if they come as a big bolt from the blue at age 8 or 10 or 12 or whatever and that gradually, without drama, building up a picture is healthier. i remember knowing about how babies were made at about 8 but not about periods then being utterly horrified to learn of periods via Judy Blume books and schoolyard gossip at about 10.

Thoughts?

I believe in the 'being honest and giving an age-appropriate respone' approach.
But, answers often lead to more questions.
Also, be prepared for your DC to let everyone in on their new found knowledge. They won't be embarrassed to tell everyone (and I mean everyone, nursery staff, grandparents, shop workers, people on the bus) that mummy puts a tampon up her bottom to mop up her menstrual flow. .

You know your own children best, so really only you can decide.

@ madamdeathstare

Madam - I am laughing so much my DH is concerned for me.

Age-appropriate information! I think I was always aware of the periods thing, even though I don't remember my mum talking to me about it.

DD has seen me change my pads (I use cloth) and asked me if I was hurt. I just said no, grown-up women sometimes have to empty their tummies of the lining, but if there's a baby in there then the lining gives it food and water. I was careful not to mention the word blood, because I wasn't quite sure how she'd react to that (my personal choice!). She didn't ask any more questions, so I felt that was enough for her. Some day when she's ready she'll ask for more information I'm sure

I started sex education young with ds (now 5yo). Again I went with the period being a sign that 'mummy wasn't having a baby' (as he got a bit upset that I was bleeding andd thought I was hurt). I think this was a couple of years ago.

We also used to read a lot of 'body books' (ds obsession at the time) and reproduction was part of those. So just read it when we came to it.

MIL also foudn a copy of 'mummy laid an egg' in a charity shop a couple of years ago and bought it for ds as she had loved it when SIL was young. Ds found it funny.

I find age appropriate answers at that age is factual but basic.

So for sex - mummy and daddy have a special cuddle and daddy gives mummy a seed that makes a baby. Go with how much information they ask for so if they ask further questions then give further information (e.g. how does daddy get his seed in mummy).

TBH I found after a couple of questions ds got bored and wandered off. though that might say more about the way I explain things than anythign else.