October is National Family Sex Education Month.
I know this is a taboo subject, but sometimes parents need other parents' input. My children are 7 and 9. I remember being 9 in the 4th grade at Pittsville Elementary School, and having the teachers split the class - boys and girls. I don't know what the boys watched, but I remember my movie with the girls, talking about menstruation, boobs, hair and all that woman stuff.
My daughter is now 9 and in the 4th grade. There has been no mention of such talk or movie explaining these things. I'm not saying I don't talk to my 9-year-old about this stuff, but sometimes it's helpful for a child to talk about it with their peers and another adult body that they look up to.
What's your opinion?
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My Wicomico 5th grader just brought a letter home from school indicating this type of discussion will be taking place soon in school so it seems to be happening in Wicomico schools.
ReplyDeleteLet me give you some advice that is probably as good as anything Yoda gave Luke Skywalker:
ReplyDelete1) These conversation should never be "taboo"-learn some things yourself and speak to your kids in clear, appropriate language. Give them space to consult and confide in others, but YOU (and your physicians)are the ultimate "deciders" of your childrens nurturing and growth.
2) If you don't follow the directions in Number 1, like pronto, (8 or 9 is not too early) you may not like the way "Little Billy" FIRST explains things to your daughter after a skate party while listening to a Jonas Brothers CD and stealing that old bottle of champagne you had left over in the 'fridge from NY eve.
{this only RARELY happens to high profile political candidates though}
6th graders at BIS in Berlin are taking Health class this year, which will cover sex education as well as other health related issues, but it's really up to us parents to make sure that our kids know about sex, not the school system.
ReplyDeleteI'm good with it.
ReplyDeleteI remember watching "the film" in 5th grade, I think it was.
I went home and asked my mom a whole bunch of things about it and she just gave me answers.
Good starting point. Later, 7th grade, I think, we got the anatomical explanations of everything. Very medical in treatment.
These days, you'd have to start earlier, but the info was at a level kids could understand and was obviously a LOT better than what some parents were telling their kids, based on my classmates' reactions.
If shes on MY-SPACE she probably already knows more than you think at nine.
ReplyDeleteMy children were raised on a farm with animals, and life, death, procreation, birth, was pretty much happening most of the time.
ReplyDeleteIt gave us the opportunity to talk about teets, penis', breeding and pregnancy, and somehow when appropriate to compare species.
Some of it was funny, some of it was amazing, some of it was a blessing.
Today children see too much erotic
or pornographic stuff on plain ole TV, so it is fairly difficult to explain real life and real sex.
There are healthy ways to teach children what they need to know, and I am not sure that it is in school. Though health class should teach them some basic stuff, just in case at nine we are still calling our body parts nic names. However, it is a parent thing in my opinion, and if you want the opportunity, it is everywhere, children always ask,(why is Aunt Mary so fat?) What is the dog Charley doing to the neighbors dog?) it is up to parents to answer appropriately.
I have found that children who are raised with healthy honest sexuality are far easier raise.
Why don't you people raise your own children and stop relying on the school system to teach something that you should be teaching at home?!??!?!
ReplyDeleteWe send our children to school to educate them on the subjects of math, writing, science, etc. However, since parents are not raising children, the schools are expected to.
This is sad. Shame on you "Sunny" How about you grow a pair and teach your child something about life instead of hoping the school does.
Well my grandson goes to the Christian School and they sure have taught him all he needs to know and I am proud of that.
ReplyDeleteWow do schools still do that?That IS a parents job.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am no dummy-preaching abstinence just doesn't cut it.Being open and honest and educating your kids about contraception IS.Do I want my child to have sex before she is ready?No,but am I stupid enough to think she will not?Heres my analogy.....
You can tell your kid to keep away from the deep end of the pool,but you are still going to give them a life ring and teach them to swim!
I would be rather be known as the "liberal Mom" whose daughter uses protection than the Mom of a pregnant 15 yr old,or worse,the Mom of an HIV-positive teen.
7:17- thanks for attacking me....read my post again. i was reflecting and asking for opinions...not assholes.
ReplyDelete