Where Do Babies Come From?
I am the type of parent who strongly believes that my kids should be reading or studying beyond what the school textbooks can offer them. Hence, when it comes to the subject of Science especially….hmmm….Brendan has a whole lot to read. So for his recent exam preparation, I took out the enrichment books again for him to refresh his memories of what he has read before.
What I never remember is that sometimes kids can read beyond what they truly understand/need to know for their age or they can get so inquisitive that they will want to read more on subject matters that interest them. So I overlooked……
That day, Brendan was in the car with me, holding on to his Science enrichment book. Then our little conversation began…..something that I was not ready to answer.
Brendan: “Mommy, what is Sperm?”
Mommy:”What?” <I was taken aback by the sudden topic and I tried to recall that so far I have not seen this topic being taught in his school syllabus yet. Then I recalled that he had asked me something similar quite a while ago.>
Brendan:”I say sperm, lor.” <He seemed amused by my surprised look and tone>
Mommy:”So what is your understanding then?” <Not knowing whether it is the right time to share with a 10-year old boy the definition and function of a sperm, I was hesitant to say further but decided to ask him instead for his understanding. Furthermore, it is quite a distraction to discuss this in a car.>
Brendan:”Only one sperm can enter an egg.” <He answered after mumbling a few sentences from the book that he was holding.>
Mommy:”What is the egg?”
Brendan:”I was inside the egg. The most powerful sperm wins. I know where I came from.” <I was really stunned by the time he said this and concluded that I did not want to further our conversation because I was not ready to offer the next explanation to my 10-year old, should he become more inquisitive.>
Yes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with children having that hunger for knowledge. Sharing the proper knowledge on sex education and biological parts of the body is just a matter of time. However, I was just not prepared at that moment….Next time, I will be more prepared. There is a point when our children need to be educated properly on this topic but by who, when and how?
My mom used to stay away from similar topic when I was young with that standard reply “You came from the dustbin.” I got to learn more only when I attended science and biology lesson in my teens.
So, what is an appropriate age for parents to share the knowledge on sex education and biological parts of the human boy with our children? Do you have similar experience as a parent? You are welcomed to share your views:)
I have always been completely up front with the kids and it has never been a problem. I remember telling a basic story and my son asked for more details. I gave him the one detail he wanted and he paused… then said, “EWWWWW!!!” and never asked again! It was TOO funny.
It is natural - this whole “birth and baby” thing. I never saw any reason to tell the kids something different from the way life really is…. of course I didn’t give them a detailed picture - nothing they could not handle and certainly not anything inappropriate. I think the good side to this is as they got older they knew they could ask me ANYTHING. A very good thing between teens and a mom! :)
cool Brendan!!!
My boys learn about ‘where they come from’ since last year, but I explain to the level their age could understand.. which is enough for them already.
*wink*
will need to ‘level-up’ as they grow…
well..seems they know by themselves through their teachers as they study science in school..
I couldn’t help but laugh at the typical answer given by our mothers, “You came from the dustbin!” Haha! This was what my mum used to say too!
I guess this answer is not going to satisfy kids nowadays. And I agree totally that we should just be honest and upfront with our kids when they asked such questions. Just explain to them in a ‘matter-of-fact’ way. The more we shy away from such topics, the more we would make them think that there’s something ‘fishy’ about it. And the more they would then want to find out to satisfy their curiousity. I’d rather my kids hear it from us than learn the wrong stuff from other sources!
Hi, my first time here. :)
Any parents will have to go through this topic sooner or later. I still have few more years before my daughter starts asking me the same topic though. Until that time arrive, i’ll like to know how other parents tackle the situation. :D.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Katherine, you are right. As kids get older, they will ask more questions and some might not be at their level to understand. We just have to tell them what they can handle at their age. Thanks for sharing:)
Hi Angeline, you are right about having to ‘level-up’. It is just that sometimes we do not know what level is just enough for their age.
Hi Wenn, I learned it also from school and somehow through instinct, some knowledge will be acquired overtime ..naturally..
Hi Ing, haha…it is our parents’ standard answer that we were picked from the dustbin when they want to avoid that question…..So funny to know that your mother told you the same story too:)
Yah…Mama Mia….basically we blog to share parenting insights and hopefully we can hear other parents’ views too:)
I had the same experience when my son was 7 years old then. We were doing his assignments when he asked me without hesitation “Ma, what is sex?” I was shocled by the question and was totally unprepared. I asked him where he got the word and he said he heard it in school. I told him it’s not bad but he should not be saying that and promised him I will explain it to him when he gets bigger. Twas my bad I did not explain it to him clearly in a manner that he could understand. But I was caught off guard so what can I do. Now my son has turned 9. I know he will aks me again anytime soon… thanks for this post…makes me prepare for that day…
Children are curious and naive by nature. I think we all have to be brave to talk about it! It can be difficult but it’s necessary. My kids continue to floor me with each and every discussion as they grow older.
Children r inquisitive beings so I guess it’s jes a matter of time b4 we r asked such questions. My 7-yr-old doesn’t ask how babies are made, but is more interested in child birth — if it’s really painful or if we’ll bleed a lot. :|