Ideas and learning activities for family life and sex education Book

I bought this to help me approach talking to my kids. Here are some of my thoughts...

1. While the Eyres teach that at 8 children should have the talk, and I agree it should be earlier than we probably expect, I still believe that you need to closely evaluate the child and discuss sex when the child is ready from your parental perspective. My oldest was not ready at 8. We will evaluate the others as they approach that age. An approx. 8 is a good starting point for the talk in my opinion.

2. I loved the Eyres view on many things but a public place is not a conductive place for a child to have the talk. Do it home, where distractions are less and a child can ask questions without worrying what others will hear. I would be upset if we overheard someone giving the talk while I was trying to enjoy dinner with my family. Give it at home and then go to dinner and do something fun.

3. I could have figured much of this out on my own but I liked how this book got me really thinking about the message I want my kids to hear, and the emphasis that we need to keep addressing it, especially as stages in their lives change. I love the Eyres stance on waiting until marriage and I am even more forward in teaching that it is only under that union in which those powers are used.

4.I also like how they are positive about it, not something to be uncomfortable with. It is beautiful although I did get a little sick of Eyres calling it the great, wonderful amazing thing or whatever it was. We told our child they were having "the Talk" that was enough. Some kids may not feel it's a great and wonderful, beautiful, amazing thing at that age and that is okay, they shouldn't feel like we are pushing them too much.

5. We are really open and have been able to talk about lots of things with our kids and so they feel pretty comfortable to talk about things, knowing we will answer with honesty and openness, even if that answer is, "we will talk about that in awhile when we think you can understand that better". I like how the Eyres point out to lead up to the talk with little hints. Teaching about how beautiful our bodies are (which is something we do anyway). But I don't think you need to lead into things, I think as they naturally are approached by children we can guide them.

6. I did not like the book recommendations to teach or show the child. I didn't purchase or check out any of them but I think an anatomy picture of men and women and a verbal description is enough. Children don't have to have hard copy pictures of parents in bed to see for them to understand.