What is the best book/website/pamphlet etc. you have found to answer the question, "Where do babies come from"? Either for parents to read themselves to get prepared to answer the question, or for parents to read with their children that is more child-friendly.
P.S. Let's dispel rumors right now - I'm not pregnant.
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I've got nothing..but I'm interested in seeing what people suggest!
The absolute best is Where Do Babies Come From by Brad Wilcox. It is beautifully illustrated, gospel centered and appropriate for all ages. There is a separate section in the back that uses proper terminology and tastefully describes what actually happens during sex. This section I went over with my kids at around age seven. In the front of the book is a tutorial of how to present the information to your children.
When we discussed sex for the first time with the kids, we also got an anatomy book and showed them how Heavenly Father made our bodies to fit together like they do. The kids were really wanting to know how the two "seeds" came together! They were fascinated by the whole thing. And it is quite a miracle.
We made it an anatomy lesson as well as a lesson on the sacredness of our bodies and the importance of families.
My kids are not embarrassed to talk or ask questions about sex or their bodies, I think, because we are very matter-of-fact when we discuss it with them.
To sum up, Brad Wilcox's book is awesome!
Well, teach them about the preexistence, of course! :)
I just LOVE the way my mom did it when I was maybe five or six so that's how I did it with my kids, but when they were much older, a month ago to be exact. She just told us everything and then explained why we don't talk about it and how some people think of it (it's bad or funny or no big deal) and then how Heavenly Father thinks of it. This really got me through the boys holding pornography in front of my face and talking about inappropriate things in 6-7th grades etc.
But to answer your question I haven't read anything on the matter that ever stayed with me. . .
Oh! I vote for anything by Brad Wilcox!
I forgot...Brad Wilcox also has a book called Growing Up: Gospel Answers about Maturation and Sex. It's geared toward pre-teens. I have a copy waiting in the wings for each of my kids when they turn twelve.
It includes help with difficult issues like homosexuality, abortion, masturbation and pornography, among others. All things our kids are needing answers for earlier than ever. There is a ton of fabulous, straight-forward counsel in its pages.
I don't know of any appropriate books, but if you find some, please feel free to share. My mom bought this book for me when I was in third grade and the cartoon images have haunted me the rest of my life. Apparently she didn't look at the pictures well enough (or didn't think) because the "Mommy and Daddy" looked just like my parents. It was horrifying! So, I hope you don't use that one ;)
We use "Where Did I Come From?"
It is the same way I learned :)
Brad Wilcox, huh? I'll have to check him out, seeing as how my son is suddenly interested in sex and body parts. I would have preferred he wait until he was thirty to start asking these questions, but what are you gonna do, right?
I did a post on that very subject Erin. It is called the little bird and the little bee I think. But you are going to be great.
I haven't read it, but Jenna at the Cranberry Corner blog talked about a book (by the Eyres, I think?) that she swears by. I've been meaning to look into it.
Sorry I can't help you here either. But I'm glad you added that "not pregnant" declaration because this is exactly the kind of post that gets people talking.
Great question! I will be watching closely. This is something I've been thinking about - how to talk to kids about *whispers* s-e-x. Nice to hear input from others.
I like everyone's suggestions. Please let us know how it goes! I don't know how I knew.. I think I found out on the streets. :) My 6 or 7 year old self found out from a childhood friend who was not LDS and let me know all about it. I don't even remember my parents broaching the subject. But I was by no means naive.
I think this is a better idea. Explaining how and why and the sacredness of it and our bodies. Will you let us know how it goes?
I don't know of any proper books.
I am going to have to look for Brad Wilcox! So far we have just had "the talk" with the 3 that are old enough to understand:)
Beats me. I'm still trying to figure it all out myself. ; )
Good question. We've had "the talk" with our oldest two but it's time to do so with our third. We didn't use a book with the first two but I'm thinking I'm going to look up that Brad Wilcox book that was suggested.
I don't know. But will you share what you find out with the rest of us?
When I was expecting my daughter, my Big Guy was about five. He kept asking to look down my throat to see the baby. He thought the baby would also come up out of my throat. It was clear to him that I had swallowed something that was growing in my stomach.
I really don't know. But when I was 9 I did find my mom's copy of "Everything you've ever wanted to know about sex... but were too afraid to ask."
I read that bad-boy cover to cover.
When I was 9.
I just really, really, really hope I don't need to ask this question any time soon. It may come up sometime though, all things considered. Eeep.
I have no clue but I'll be interested to hear if you find something you like!
I have heard of the Eyre's book...I want to say it has something about "Roses" in the title...does that ring any bells? One of my friends has used it with her kids when this topic comes up. I am curious about the Brad Wilcox book now...I know this topic will come up sometime in the next few years and I'd rather my daughters hear about things from me first so I'm not battling other interpretations.
There's a book that I was given as a bridal shower gift called "And They Were Not Ashamed" I don't know the author off the top of my head. It was obviously more about sexual fulfillment in a marriage, but it also has a section in the back about how/ when to bring the topic up with your kids.
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