Let's Talk About S-E-X....or maybe not

There's no denying that sex is a natural part of life.  It is necessary to create life and, when used in the right circumstances (and done right!) ,can make everyday, mundane life so much more enjoyable!  Yet, when it comes to discussing the subject with their children, most parents become very uncomfortable and may avoid "the talk" altogether.

Oftentimes, our beliefs about sex are passed down from what our parents taught us about it (or didn't teach us) and  along with it, they pass down all types of misconceptions and myths too.

I remember when my mother was pregnant with my brother and I asked her, "How do you get a baby anyway?"

My mother said," You go to the doctor and tell him that you want a baby and he gives you a pill that makes a baby grow inside."

I can't help but to laugh about it now, but I was only six at the time so I believed that to be true until I found out otherwise when I got older.  Then, as a teenager the only other discussion I had with my parents about sex was my mom telling me, "Make sure you don't bring any babies in this house!" 

Of course, this taught me nothing about sex and I was too fearful to even think that I could talk to my parents about anything dealing with the subject.  It also drilled into my head that if I dared to get pregnant before I was married, I better not bring it home.  Which is exactly what happened, resulting in a whole host of other issues later on.

I do not blame my parents for anything though. I know they were just doing what my grandparents probably did with them. Although I'm sure it is not that easy, when I have children I plan to be more open, frank and less judgmental on the matter. 


What were you taught about sex? How will it affect how you choose to approach the subject with your own children?

*note- I would like to use your comments in the upcoming Southwest Parenting magazine (www.swparenting.com) in an article about having "the talk"with your children so, feel free to share.*