Sex Education!

[liv123]

My son is 11 and is about to start secondary school.From a conversation we had this week in the car I realise that he is quite naive about sex and related issues, even though we have always been very open with him and answered any questions he has asked! I also discovered that he did not have sex education in Year 6 which I thought was part of the curriculum?Anyway I would like to sit and talk to him but feel that we need a focus to our discussion.Can anyone recommend a good sex education book suitable for this age group?I know that there are 100's out there but it is a case of which one??I really want to have this "talk" before he satrts Year 7,
Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks

[liquidclocks]

I'm getting 'the body book' by clare rayner for my boys but they're still very little. will be keeping an eye on your thread for ideas though!

When you say he's naive - is it basic anatomy or more the complicated social/emotional side of it?

[liv123]

Perhaps naive is the wrong word! I was surprised at how litle he knew about some issues,especially as he is quite "street wise "about a lot of things!The discussion related specifically to masturbation and wet dreams! (not sure if I should be talking specifics?!!!! ) but these are things I feel that he should be aware of now! Thanks for the book title I will look it out!

[liquidclocks]

I think it's a bit basic for that sort of stuff. Do you have a fella in your life that might be a good person to have a chat with him? If not then bump this tomorrow when more people are awake - I'm sure some people will know.

[liv123]

I'm new to this so you will have to excuse my ignorance but what do you mean by "bump" and how do I do it?!!!!!

[liquidclocks]

You just did - any new message puts the thread back onto the 'last hour' list and makes it more visible so you're more likely to get a response. hope someone sees it for you with older kids than me!

[liv123]

Thank you!!As gorgeous as my husband is (!!!)he does struggle with the "let's sit down and talk about sex" bit!!

[LaidbackinAsia]

Hi liv, my son is nearly 10 and has a good knowledge about lots of aspects relating to sex, both physical and emotional. I have found that the "sitting down " approach can often be a bit intense and embarrassing , so have taken more of a "drip feed" approach (sorry that sounds a bit inappropriate) So sometimes we can be talking about something altogether unrelated and I drop in something relating to sex and he will have quite a frank and open chat with me. It tends to normalize it , rather than turn it into a "special topic that must be spoken about in private" if you know what I mean. Don't know if this helps.... the down side to this is that he sometimes asks very relevant questions at difficult times eg. at sunday lunch at the inlaws

[liv123]

Hi,yes I totally understand what you are saying,thanks for that.We have always been very open with him and never avoided questions related to sex but i just feel that there are a few gaps and misconceptions!Perhaps I should just chill and like you say drop in the odd question here and there.He's off to Granny's this weekend so perhaps I will wait til he comes back in light of your comments...not sure she would be so keen to get into deep discussions about such issues!

[pointydog]

I agree that a book can be good, though. I'm very open with dds about sex, bodies, etc but there are some things you want to tell your kids about before they happen unexpectedly or they hear half-truths from pals. With dd1, this was periods.

I got a book (a girly one, so no good for you liv123!). She liked the chance to read through it in her own time after our initial chat. I think a lot more can go in that way.

But sorry - I can't recommend a boys book.

[sleepysooz]

Agree with laidbackinasia, we also just add bits of info when certain occasions/converstions occur, they only need snippets of info at a time to be able to take things in.

A book would help though, but mainly for myself to explain what they need to know at appropriate age, but I don't think we have divulged too much info yet, my son 10+ going into year 6

Good luck