Birds and the bees; he’s eleven already so we had the party but…
Who do you want to tell your kids about the birds and the bees; don’t you just love the English way or talking around something like this!
We have had a weekend of birthdays our oldest has turned 11 and second 9. The youngest coped really well, but it is tough on a four year old when both your older brother and sister get presents and you don’t. But we decided that he shouldn’t get anything as well, as all kids have to learn life isn’t fair sometimes.
That does seem harsh, but this year he did pretty well since we had a family birthday outing to a pool with slides, fountains, a wave machine and a café! What more could any of us asked for? It was great fun. We can add that to the winter party ideas for children too.
But….
11 years old; how did that happen? I ask myself. Year 6 the last year of primary school. It does feel like a new chapter, one of his birthday presents was shower and gel and deodorant. We had noticed just sometimes after football practise they may be required. He thought it was great; the box had a pic of Tom Daley on, so it was all seen as rather cool
Today Dad had to explain that the deodorant is sprayed under your arms before you put your clothes on!! :-)
The next instalment will be the chat …and I have handed that over to Dad ..that seems fair to me …man to man.
Birds and the bees: …now we need the chat; is it best man to man?
Until now, we have answered any questions honestly using proper names and terms but not many have been asked so when we thought about who we would like him to get the fact of life from – us, his mates (assuming they know what they are talking about) or a teacher the answer seemed obvious. So with some basics already discussed the Christmas holidays will provide some Dad and son time for that.
Another friend with slightly older kids has recommended talks like that should be in the car. Where embarrassing eye contact is minimised, there is distraction i.e. the driving for the parent and looking out the window for the passenger and the knowledge for both of you that the journey and therefore the talk can’t last forever!
This is the joy and challenge of parenthood with each passing year there are new experiences for all of us.
How have your broached the subject of “the chat” with yours?
This is our regular Tuesday Tips for Parenting guest post by Beckie Whitehouse from Be Confident Coaching.
Photos courtesy of Microsoft Clipart.
Beckie Whitehouse
Beckie is a mum to three kids, and works in the Cambridge area as a coach.Feel free to get in contact for a no obligation discussion.
Erica Price
Wednesday 12th of December 2012
Like the car chat idea. We've told our 5 year old the truth (on a simplistic level) and even got a book out of the library to read together. Obviously at some stage we'll have to take it further. Yikes!
Kate
Tuesday 11th of December 2012
I like the idea of having this chat in the car! There are some good books out there too, which kids can read in their own time, in their own space and then ask questions later. That's what my mum did when explaining to me about periods.