Sex Education in the 2nd grade?

Let me tell you, this has been ONE CRAZY school year for me with my daughter who's getting ready to finish her 2nd grade year. I think a majority of the problem has been a few girls in her class but last night I got the "mom - can we talk about sex" talk. She's not quite EIGHT. She's in SECOND grade. But, she wants to ask me about sex? I about fell over. I am no prude and I have a very rigid policy where if she asks me an honest question, I will give her an honest answer. But, truthfully - I was not prepared for this. Shouldn't she still be playing with Cabbage Patch Dolls or something?

Here's the deal. Their counselor came in and discussed "inappropriate" touching the other day. Which, I knew about and was totally fine with. I have had that talk with her myself, so I did not think that a little reinforcement would be a big deal. However, there is a girl in her class whose father is in prison right now for, according to my daughter "touching her sister in the wrong way". Then, she proceeds to tell me that the other girls in her class have had sex talks with their mom and why haven't we?

I did give her some honest answers to her questions (she asked about her dad and I) but I really still think she's too young for this. Do you have any advice? I thought about e-mailing her teacher (she and I have great communication) to see if anything is going on at the school.

I was going to head over to the bookstore today to see if there was anything that I could get that was geared a bit more to the younger audience because I did grab a book at work but it's way too "older teen".

Would love to hear your thoughts. Like I said - I'm a realist and I'm not a prude, but if she were 13 it would be easier to discuss than 7.

Comments: 7

Karen F. May 20, 2008, 10:03am EDT

As far as letting children of that age knowing about people not touching them in places they shouldn't be touched...but let them know that the doctors will look and you will be there, they don't need to know about sex between men and women. They have enough trouble just being kids without giving them something else to clutter their minds. But on the other hand, if they ask pointed questions about what they have heard from classmates or whoever...then we have to be honest with them but telling them it isn't anything they need to think about now.

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Danielle P. May 20, 2008, 10:48am EDT

Just try and keep the lines of communication open and it sounds as if they are. My mom told me to just answer the questions as simply as possible....like where do babies come from???(depends on your belief) but I'd say God put them in my belly. If the questions keep coming try to answer simply. When a man and a woman love each other and (depends on your beliefs) are married they share their love to make a baby. etc...

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tina stiles May 20, 2008, 12:17pm EDT

My daughter is also eight, but has not asked me about sex. She does know about inappropraite touching , so I am sure it will only be a matter of time before she starts asking the BIG questions.

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Amy H. May 20, 2008, 12:36pm EDT

Thank you for submitting your content to:
The group: We Comment Back

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Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) May 20, 2008, 5:42pm EDT

I hate to tell you. But you had better not wait until your daughter is 13 to have the sex talk. Kids are having sex much younger these days. The average age for the first time to have sex is pre-teen years.

I have talked to my children about the wrong touch as well. My daughter is 7 and special needs. I also have a son that 9. When they ask a question I answer but give it in simple terms they will understand...We are religious. So, I fall back on that as my teaching. Such as mommys and daddys are create babies when having sex...So right now they think only mommies and daddies have sex abd create babies.

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Tiffany G. May 21, 2008, 12:36pm EDT

well my daughter is 8.. just finished 2nd grade.. and she has had a past with " sexual problems" it was with her cousin who is the same age as her.. Her counselors all called it "curiosity" so there was not much I could do.. we kept telling her it was wrong but she kept doing he things.. Thanks to her low ife dad he would not keep her away from this lil cousin while she was at his house so I really could not do anything.. So finally it came down to the lil girls brother who was 13 trying to touch my daughter... I started a lawsuit and it ended with My daughter NOT being allowed around them other kids while at her fathers house until she is 18. Anyways with all that.. she pretty much knows what things are and we dont talk about it anymore.. she knows whats wrong and is doing great now with no more problems. herself..

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Ghostly Ghoul Jun 12, 2009, 7:05pm EDT

My mom started factual with picture books, you don't need to go into great detail but being open and honest right now is important. That way when something more serious comes up she is comfortable talking with you.

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Sex Education in the 2nd grade?

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