School Aged Children

Now it is time to get a book or two. Hopefully, you are reading bedtime stories to your child and can add these to your stack from the library. There are many age appropriate books available (see the resource list below). Read them together so you can answer questions. This sets the stage for them to be able to come to you later. They will know you are an “askable” parent.

At this age kids will start to hear things from friends and friends older siblings. Don’t let misinformation from a little friend be the source of your child’s sexual knowledge. Come on, I know you remember hearing stuff from friends that was not true! Again, if you do not educate your child about sexuality, someone else will!

This is also an age where kids will bring home new words to try out on you. “Mommy, what does fuck mean?” Here are some possible scenarios.

You shout, “Don’t EVER say that word again!” It’s very likely they will not come to you with other questions. They will simply ask their friends.

—OR—

“That is a bad word for making love.” “What is making love?” “Remember the book we read last month? That is when adults cuddle very closely.” “Why is it a bad word?” “Lots of grown ups are not comfortable talking about bodies and sometimes they use bad words instead of the real ones. In our family, we don’t use that word.”

—OR—

“I’m glad you asked me that question. It is an important one. I’d like a little time to think about the answer. Let’s talk about it at bedtime.