by Tara Pringle Jefferson
Last week, I was minding my business, working on a project, when my 4-year-old came up to me and asked a simple question.
“How did I get in my belly when you were pregnant with me?” Translation: Where do babies come from?
I was not ready. I’m one of those moms who would tell anyone who listened that I was going to tell my kids the truth – none of this stork business, none of this “you came from the hospital” stuff. I was going to sit down, and using language she would understand, tell her how babies are indeed made.
But instead I choked out something like, “Well, when a mommy and daddy love each other, they hug and kiss….and then a baby is made.”
She cocked one eyebrow. “So you just hug and kiss?” It’s like she knew I was skipping some steps.
“Well…no.” I’m not ready for this. She’s 4. “They hug and kiss and then they…hug some more.”
I punked out, y’all. When I was 5, I asked my mom the same question and she gave me the whole shebang. Penises and vaginas and intercourse – she laid it all out there for me. She even broke out the encyclopedia and gave me visuals! When she was done, she had me do a REPORT on how babies were made. I was the only kindergartener who could identify the vas deferens and the Fallopian tubes.
I was all ready to follow in her footsteps, but realized I wasn’t ready. I know I need to get ready, because I need my kids to go out in the world and be prepared, not rely on the misinformation spread by their peers. I need them to know that YES, a girl can get pregnant her first having sex and NO, two condoms aren’t better than one.
I planned on breaking it down, little by little, a running dialogue all throughout their preschool years, then elementary school, then middle school, high school and beyond.
Now that I know it’s “game on,” I need to go get ready. Anyone got any tips?
Tara Pringle Jefferson is a freelance writer, blogger and PR professional living in Ohio with her husband and two kids. She’s also Managing Editor of BlackAndMarriedWithKids.com. Follow her on Twitter or check out her blog for her insights on what it means to be a mom, wife, student, writer, and about three other labels she’s too tired to remember.
Rubygriffin36 says
Back in the days,parents was so secret about everything…sex,and babies,was like a curse,around our house…but,now it’s know secret,it’s everywhere…The reality show,the babies show…please tell your children’s before the world let them know…cause they just might get the wrong understanding about sex,and babies..as i alway say,if they’re asking,they’re older enough to know…talk to them,you just might get a shocking of your life…but each it on….
Res says
Have your mom give her the same talk she gave you?