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WITI-TV, MILWAUKEE -
For some it's a touchy topic, a subject too hot to handle for many parents. Experts agree that parents need to. Are you ready to have "the talk"? If not FOX6 is about to explain how.
Dr. Stephanie Eken is not only a pediatrician, but a child psychiatrist at Rogers Memorial Hospital. She tells FOX6 she is willing to sit down with parents, and practice what to say. It's those conversations that children will probably remember for life.
So many wonder how early should you start talking to kids about sex? "'Where do babies come from?' 'How was I born' Three to five-years-old is a very normal time for kids to wonder about that...We may hear questions as young as six or seven about body parts or about sex, because they hear information.", says Eken.
One of the things Eken recommends is for parents to change their lingo. No more wee wee, dinkle, or pocket book. Eken explains, "Those[penis and vagina] are all normal anatomical terms that are appropriate just like we call our nose our nose, and our lips our lips."
If you don't start using the correct words for human anatomy, some kindergarten teachers will. With parental consent Milwaukee Public Schools Human Growth and Development Curriculum teaches kids to use the right terms for their body parts, because it gives them respect for and demystifies their private parts.
Dr. Eken believes it's the start of just talking. She says, "I think we change into this really big scary ordeal that there has to be 'the talk'. Where I see it more as a natural process. You take moments in time where it seems natural to have a discussion about something."
Studies show when parents have talked to teens about sex, they're less likely to engage in risky behavior. If you're not talking, it can mean trouble. Studies also show boys are less likely to get the information from their parents. Dr. Eken believes parents should be the source that they go to, not other kids.
Dr. Eken urges parents to talk to their kids about sexual intercourse before they go to middle school. "Because you have 6th graders who are new to middle school, but you have 8th graders who may even have sexual intercourse at that point. We'd like to thing that they aren't, but it occurs."
So how do you say it? Explain it simply, and share with them your values. Eken suggests saying, "Sometimes men and women they are together in couples. They get married. They want to have a baby, so then they have something that we call sex.[PAUSE]. So do you know anything about sex? Have you heard anything?"
After talking make sure to listen and be understanding. If they don't' want to talk about it, give them a little space. Don't forget to go back and check in with them.
Remember it's about their health not only possible pregnancy, but sexually transmitted diseases. A child's actions depend greatly on yours. Don't be indecisive, be brave.
If your child is just not comfortable talking with you, there might be a trusted family member or pediatrician they can talk with. For more information about this topic or anything related to your child's development CLICK HERE.
Dr. Stephanie Eken is not only a pediatrician, but a child psychiatrist at Rogers Memorial Hospital. She tells FOX6 she is willing to sit down with parents, and practice what to say. It's those conversations that children will probably remember for life.
So many wonder how early should you start talking to kids about sex? "'Where do babies come from?' 'How was I born' Three to five-years-old is a very normal time for kids to wonder about that...We may hear questions as young as six or seven about body parts or about sex, because they hear information.", says Eken.
One of the things Eken recommends is for parents to change their lingo. No more wee wee, dinkle, or pocket book. Eken explains, "Those[penis and vagina] are all normal anatomical terms that are appropriate just like we call our nose our nose, and our lips our lips."
If you don't start using the correct words for human anatomy, some kindergarten teachers will. With parental consent Milwaukee Public Schools Human Growth and Development Curriculum teaches kids to use the right terms for their body parts, because it gives them respect for and demystifies their private parts.
Dr. Eken believes it's the start of just talking. She says, "I think we change into this really big scary ordeal that there has to be 'the talk'. Where I see it more as a natural process. You take moments in time where it seems natural to have a discussion about something."
Studies show when parents have talked to teens about sex, they're less likely to engage in risky behavior. If you're not talking, it can mean trouble. Studies also show boys are less likely to get the information from their parents. Dr. Eken believes parents should be the source that they go to, not other kids.
Dr. Eken urges parents to talk to their kids about sexual intercourse before they go to middle school. "Because you have 6th graders who are new to middle school, but you have 8th graders who may even have sexual intercourse at that point. We'd like to thing that they aren't, but it occurs."
So how do you say it? Explain it simply, and share with them your values. Eken suggests saying, "Sometimes men and women they are together in couples. They get married. They want to have a baby, so then they have something that we call sex.[PAUSE]. So do you know anything about sex? Have you heard anything?"
After talking make sure to listen and be understanding. If they don't' want to talk about it, give them a little space. Don't forget to go back and check in with them.
Remember it's about their health not only possible pregnancy, but sexually transmitted diseases. A child's actions depend greatly on yours. Don't be indecisive, be brave.
If your child is just not comfortable talking with you, there might be a trusted family member or pediatrician they can talk with. For more information about this topic or anything related to your child's development CLICK HERE.
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