Helping Explain the "Birds and Bees" to 8 Year Old Son

I don't have any experience doing to myself, but when I was 8, my parents used the book "where did i come from" and it has little cartoon-like people that makes it less "gross" for a kid that age. My parents read through it with me and then asked if I had any questions. Luckily for them, I didn't! Hope that helps!

I think it should be a team effort- both mom and dad. This way he knows to come to either of you if he needs any questions answered. Thank him for trusting you enough to come to you (that speaks volumes!) and maybe use a book he can keep in his room after so he can read it when he wants to reference it.
I like Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
and also "What's Happening to Me?" A guide to puberty by Peter Mayle

and finally, since the kids are all talking about it:
What's the Big Secret?: Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown

or What's the Big Secret?: Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown

It is a hard issue to talk about. There is nothing wrong with you talking to him about it or just your husband. But if you aren't afraid to talk to him about it, you may want to. That way he feels that if there is something about sex that he wants to talk about and Dad is not around he can come to you. I don't know if you are a Christian, but there is a good book series called God's Design for Sex that can help you explain it to your son. Good luck. This is a good age to start discussing it. This way he hears what you believe before getting pressure and finding out all about it from friends.

I'm not yet to this phase of parenthood, but one trick I've heard from others is to ask your child what he knows or what he thinks sex is about, so you get an idea of where he's coming from. I also LOVE the book "Where Did I Come From?" My Mom used that with me when I was young.

I recommend the book "It's so Amazing! A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families" by Robin H. Harris. I bought this when my dd was 7 and asking questions. We sat down each night and read a little and would talk about it. It does a great job giving all the information--it is very comprehensive, but it is like a comic book & cartoony.

I firmly believe that every child should know all about the subject by the time they are 8. I don't think you should trickle the information out until he asks for it & then sit down when he's a teen & have the big talk. Waiting until they are teenagers to tell them is generally too late. By that time many will have heard all about it (incorrectly & crudely) from their peers, many will have been molested & will have accepted the information given to them by their molesters, and many will have tried it out already for themselves. It is very awkward & really hard to talk about but so important for their health and safety.

My dd is now totally comfortable asking me questions. She has a lot--the things kids talk about at school & on the bus (mostly the bus) are unbelievable. It is an ongoing discussion & I think the book was key to that. She keeps it in her room & reads parts of it every once in a while.

if hes asking about it, then hes eager to know what all the hype is about, even if he seems embarrassed asking. just the fact that he brought it up is VERY encouraging (if only every parent could get so lucky!! you dont even have to bring it up to him!)... im a firm believer of being completely straightforward with children, even if it may be a little above their head. tell him whatever you feel comfortable telling him, only offering whatever information you believe he needs to know. make sure he understands whatever your family values are on the sex subject (like no sex before marriage, etc). turn it around on him and ask him what he has already heard, so you can set the record straight, and why hes asking. GOOD LUCK AND BEST WISHES!! i know its akward, but its something that shouldnt be ignored. like i said, you should be happy he approached you about it and proud that he values YOUR input, as opposed to the children talking about it!

I agree. Be very straightforward with him. If he doesn't understand, he can ask more questions. But at 8, he should understand. There are also wonderful books at the library to help you.
good luck

The best way to answer his questions is to answer them as simply as possible. Don't elaborate unless he asks, but do ask if he has any other questions. Sometimes the simple answer is all that they need and less is more. There are books out there, but if you feel you can handle the questions without the expense go for it, or check out the library.

Like others have noted, there are great kids' books (and books for parents) out there to help you frame this in a truly age-appropriate way without going too far but still addressing his perfectly normal and natural questions. You also could talk to his school guidance counselor, who should be well aware of resources and ideas for discussing this.

One thing I'd add: Is there a way you can find out if the sex talk on the bus, in school, etc. is the normal curiosity stuff or something cruder or ruder? Are boys on the bus making crude comments about girls, or vice versa, etc.? (I hate to say it but if he rides a bus with older kids, crude talk, not just curiosity talk, could be quite possible; I know of parents who have had issues with the kind of stuff older kids talk about on bus rides around younger ones.). You might want to do a little investigation into what he's hearing. Again, see if the counselor is tuned in to this issue at your school. As for TV, if he's only 8, I'd direct him toward non-TV entertainment if he's watching shows that could have sexual content -- no kids' show should. I know some kids like reality shows etc. that can get racy, but maybe you can steer him elsewhere. Good luck!!