Let’s talk about sex – the beginning
Warning: This post consists of explicit words & graphics which may offend.
A few nights ago, the big question popped up!
Actually, we do get that question sometimes. And the answer was somewhat along when husband and wife sleep together. 
This time round, N2 pushed it a little: “What happens when they sleep together? Was it an angel or a fairy that comes and help them?”
Me: (close to bursting out laughing) No, Nathan, no angels and definitely no fairies!
N2: So what happens?
Me: Ask Daddy! (I’m so sorry! I couldn’t help it! I really wasn’t ready to answer!)
Daddy: erm.. they have sex!
N2 & N1: WHAT IS SEX?
Me: Well, sex is when the husband and wife comes together. This is something between husbands and wives only. It is …
N2: Mummy, I wanna drink milk.
N1: Ya, I’ll go check and see if the milk is ready.
~~phew! topic ended… we took too long to answer!~~
Looking back now, I think that was also for the better. N2 wouldn’t be able to understand an answer that’s suited for N1. And N3 was in the room too, she’d be quite quite blown away.
That night, I started reading this book from the library:
Wow! I’ve lots of work to do! Up to Chapter 4, this is what I’ve to do thus far: (in my own words)
By 3 year old, your child should know their body parts. Along with shoulder, knees, elbow, they should know penis, vagina, vulva, testicles, clitoris.
The author says this would make it easy for us parents when we talk about sex at a later age. Rather than saying “the cuckoo goes near the pet-pet”
It becomes factual, and no nonsense. And no one will feel squirmish about it.
So I’ll do this bit first. Anatomy 101. I hope I pronounce some of the words right!
Post-blog: I taught N1 & N2! It was hilarious! I’ll post it up soon!!!
Have you started sex education with your kids? Or did you have that with your parents? We’re gonna talk about sex!
Oh it gonna be fun and challenging sharing with the kids. Even as a medical person, i finds it hard to discuss this topic with my girls. But i will try 🙂
haha! Let me know the right pronounciation!! It's going to be double whammy if I teach them wrong! 🙂
We started this topic with our kids when they are around N1 and N2 too and will do a more detailed talk with our P2 kid during the Dec holidays.. now reading up more about it to be prepared. Kid mature too early these days so he has to be prepared with the relevant details before entering upper primary.
Hi Dominique! Thanks for dropping in! Yes, kids now know way way more than I did at their age! I'm glad I'm not alone!
I have been using resources from this website for the past 6 years, and shared with my friends who also find them useful: http://www.generationsofvirtue.org/
For young children, there are many ways we can build the foundation to discuss sexuality without going through the technicalities as a "first lesson"; some things can be scaffolded based on the child's readiness and need. E.g. By discussing how reproduction takes place in nature and the animal kingdom. Or by discussing media discernment with children in a developmentally appropriate way.
Hi Carol, thanks for dropping by! I'll go check out this site. I always believe knowlege is power, so if mummy knows more, I can teach them better too! 🙂 thank you!
I agreed with Carol's comments that talk need to base on the child's readiness and need and we do not need to blindly follow what suggest by writers whose writings are based on different culture, enviroment setting etc.I believe we do not need to go so deep into the technicalities of sexual organs etc. M
Oh yes, readiness is definitely a criteria. But correct name terms are essential too. I don't think cuckoo bird or dicky dick or bird bird helps in any way. Nor can we ignore that there's that little organ there. Proper names are essential, just treat them as body parts.
Cool! I did a post on sexuality education as I worked on a project on that topic in MOE previously. So glad to see you're starting early. It's very important for parents to educate their children on sex as ignorance is definitely not bliss in this area!
Hi Mad, thanks for dropping by. I agree absolutely. Everything should be age appropriate.. you did a post on this? I'll go search for that! 🙂
Great reminder for me to start teaching K that. Been wanting to do that for some time, but u know lah, other things have more priorty (excuses, haha).