The Birds and The Bees
Dear Doctor,
The time has come to sit my eleven year-old down and tell her about the birds and the bees.
She has had no schooling on this subject, and she knows nothing on this at all. I did sit down with her and explain periods and how and why it happens, and she has started hers. She has been brilliant with it all.
She is very naive, and I don’t want to shock or scare her. Help!
Teaching Mother
Dear Teaching, Who is more worried about being "shocked or scared", you or her?
Sexuality is the occasion for neither shock or terror, but it is both mystery and joy. Hopefully she is about to begin a great adventure which will be with her all of her life.
Your comfortableness in addressing her knowledge and questions is essential. By the way, I have met few people who are "brilliant" with normal bodily functions. Perhaps she is more likely accepting or even curious.
I assume, when you spoke with her about having her period, that you made some mention of the purpose of menstruating. Interestingly, it is tied to reproduction and sexuality, or am I not understanding. It is well past time to move on with knowledge she needs regarding her own sexuality.
So, Mom, chill out, relax, and be about it. By the way, I will bet you a tin nickel she knows more than you think she does and is not as naive as you believe.
Just a few trips on the school bus in this day and age amount to sex ed 101. May I recommend books to help you as props and methods to organize your presentation.
"Where Did I Come From" and "What’s Happening to Me" are two older books by Peter Mayle. They are light, informative, humorously illustrated, and generally do not "scare" children.
I am certain there are many other books which you might research. As a lad I was always mystified by something.
What do human beings have in common with either birds or bees? It still baffles me!
Tags: birds and the bees, bodily functions, reproduction, sex ed 101, sex education, Sexuality
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