Behaviours/The Sex Talk - On Telling Your Child About *Sex*

Disclaimer: Somethings are hard to do and I believe that telling your son about the real facts concerning sexual matters falls into this category. For some people I grant, it is really easy and they can get right into the swing of things. For me it was the complete opposite.

This happened quite a number of years ago when my second son was about ten years old. I was at work and he was staying with my really good friends who cared very much for him. On this particular day my friend had hired a movie for them to watch called I think, "Blue Lagoon" so he and her son, his friend of the same age, were sitting watching the movie while Jenny was in the next room sewing. And this is what she heard my son say to her son during the segment where the young actors in the movie were swimming together in the Blue Lagoon.

my son "where did all that blood come from?"

her son " she cut her foot on a rock"

my son " no she didn't" as he was really peering into the screen.

Jenny is listening to the exchange and just waiting for the help call from her son - a call which came quite quickly!

her son" Mum, can you come here!"

Jenny comes in and says to my son "has your mother told you about the facts of life yet?"

my son "no, we're only up to dogs"

Jenny "well I will tell you all about it" which she did. TG. She even included information about periods so that he would understand any potential women's problems.

Then........she decides to tell him about and indeed show him, the ubiquitous tampon.

Jenny "have you seen one of these before?"

my son "Oh yes - mum said they were for taking off her make-up!"

Sprung - yes I was well and truly sprung on this occasion.

Lesson - One should never lie to children - they nearly always find out the truth. Lesson 2. Do not give your family and friends the ammunition needed (particularly the bit about "we are only up to dogs!- thank you G.) for the numerous laughs across the years since the event - and of course you need to remember that it will get really, really embellished until everyone is falling in the aisles laughing - at you!!!

copyright: a.a.gallagher 1986