The Question I've Been Dreading

[Chained to the counter]

Yes my darling little 5 year old just asked me the dreaded question. "Mummy how do babies get into your tummy?"

I didn't think i would have to answer that for a few more years so i was completely thrown and didn't know how to answer her.

My mother was rather prudish and i had to learn all about sex from school and friends, but i don't want to be like that, i want her to be able to come to me and ask questions without me running away and hiding :runaway:

Maybe i could get a book to read together that would explain everything in laymans terms so it doesn't get to complicated for her.

Why does she have to grow up so fast :cry:

[MadMike]

I guess I was lucky. My son never really asked.

I took it upon myself to have "the talk" with him when he was 10. I figured any older was too late, as my parents had it with me when I was 11, and by then I had pretty much heard all of it from other kids.

It probably wouldn't have hurt to do it a little sooner than I had, since he already knew a few bits and pieces. He already knew that people had "sex" to have babies, but didn't really know the mechanics.

There was a humorous part to the whole thing. He had heard some of the sex-related jokes on shows that we like to watch together, like Family Guy, but didn't really understand them. He told me that later that day, he was up in his room and suddenly just started laughing, because the jokes now made sense to him.

[Knightmare]

The best answer is an honest answer. Give her the facts, but in terms a 5 year old can understand. My 3 year old daughter knows that babies come from the "mommy's belly" but hasn't asked how the baby got in there. That day will come along sooner than I would like, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
Good luck explaining things!

[iradney]

When I was 6, my parents gave me the "talk". They spoke with me AND gave me a book and tape by a couple called Des and Dawn Lindberg, wherein they sing about sperm and suchlike. If you can find something by them (it was done in the later seventies/early 80's mind you), then it does make it alot more approachable.

[Cia]

My parents never gave me the talk. I read "Everything you always wanted to know about sex but were afraid to ask" when I was 8.

[sportsmom]

wherein they sing about sperm and suchlike.


**Wanders away singing...

"every sperm is sacred/every sperm is great
if a sperm gets wasted/God gets quite irate*


Hmmm, I may rent "Monty Python's The Meaning of Life" tonight.

[Mr. Rager!]

I think the Germans handle it best.. they have a book on the whole thing!

http://www.planetdan.net/pics/babies/
(This is illustrated... so maybe NWS)

[April]

at five, she might not want as much information as you think she might want. My daughter asked me last year, at five too. I told her "When a man and a woman love eachother they make a baby in the mommy's tummy" (trite, i know) and then asked if she had any more questions.

She said Nope! and continued on. If she continues to ask detailed questions than by all means answer according to her level, but she might not really want (or need) anything in depth at the moment.

Reminds me of when my daughter asked me how babies get OUT of the mommies tummy. No "nice" answer would satisfy her. So I told her. I still remember the look on her face.....

[blas]

I don't have any children, but the only advice I can offer is as your child grows and develops, DO NOT give your child the impression that sex is dirty and filthy and that you will rot in hell for thinking of another person of the opposite sex. That's the tactic that my mother used on me, and that's how I became sexually active so young and why I had to learn from older cousins and friends in school all about sex.

Put it in terms a child can understand. Don't get too graphic, and don't lecture. You will only confuse the poor child. Keep it simple. It's a nautral thing, so don't make it out to be a sin.

[Jinxy]

I have to admit I was the kid who told everyone else in kindergarden where babies came from. I asked my mother, she told me the basics, using all the "correct" words (at the time Mom was a teacher) and I can sorta remember someone getting upset cause I wouldn't call it a hot dog and their kid wasn't supposed to know the correct term was penis. :eek: I still wonder what happened to her.

Jinxy

[BookstoreEscapee]

There are a ton of books on the subject aimed at different age levels. Check out the "growing up" section in your local bookstore's kids' department. Try asking the person who works in that department, they'll probably have some suggestions. Or try your local library's kids section.

There is a book I love called Where Willy Went by Nicholas Allan that is soo cute. It's a picture book (in the "growing up" section at BN) and the age range is 5-8 (according to bn.com) so you'd have to check it out and see if it's appropriate for your daughter, but it's good for a giggle if you're a grownup, too. My favorite part is that Willy wears little swim goggles.:)

From bn.com:
Never before have the facts of life been presented in such an accessible--or novel--way. Our hero is Willy, a little sperm who lives inside Mr. Browne with 300 million friends. Every day Willy practices for the Great Swimming Race. And when the day arrives, he swims faster than his 300 million friends to win the prize--a marvelous egg. Then something wonderful happens, and eventually Mr. and Mrs. Browne have a baby girl who has the same winning smile as Willy and who grows up to be a great swimmer.
Hilariously funny, warm, and endearing, this is a picture book that appeals on different levels to both children and grown-ups.