How to talk to your child about the topic of sex

At some stage or another, your child will start asking questions about sex and they’ll want answers. There’s never a bad time to start broaching the subject of sex so now’s as good a time as any to start educating your child on the body, emotions and the subject of sex. Many parents worry that talking to their child about sex early on in life will make them act on what they’ve heard, but this isn’t true – studies have shown that children who talk openly about sex with their parents are actually more likely to have sex later in life, as well as being more likely to use contraception.

You don’t need to have lengthy chats with your child about the ins and outs of sex, but the amount you tell them will depend on the child. Some children will be happy with a simple answer, while others are naturally more inquisitive. More often than not, a simple answer is enough to satisfy their curiosity – you don’t need to provide graphic details. For example, if your child asks where babies come from, you can explain that a baby grows in a mummy’s tummy then come out when they’re ready. If this isn’t enough to answer their question, you can explain a little further by saying that they come out through a special part of a woman’s body.

What’s important about talking to your child is that they know it’s ok to talk about sex and emotions. When they’re old enough to discuss the matter in more depth, this will help them feel confident about bringing the subject up in conversation. As your child ages, you can bring up more subjects that are age-appropriate. For example, girls need to know about periods around the age of 10, and boys can learn about puberty at age 12 and onwards. You don’t need to separate the topics though – there’s no reason why girls can’t learn about erections, and boys to understand periods. Children should know about sex, contraception and puberty before they start engaging in any sexual activity – this will help them feel more confident asking for advice and information, as well as providing them with the necessary education they need to engage in sex in a safe and healthy way.