Had "the talk" with my kids today.....

And all I can say is WHEW - glad it's over!!!

Actually, it wasn't that bad. Thanks to my friends who recommended the book "It's So Amazing."

Yesterday I was completely caught off guard when Elle came up to me and said "Momma, what EXACTLY is sex?" Macy immediately jumped up and said "I know! It's when a woman jumps on a man and she is naked and he is wearing underwear and they make out." Ok, I knew I had to straighten that out. I always thought I would be good at this. I would be prepared. I'm not a shy person. I don't have trouble talking about this kind of stuff. I am very open. But I just completely froze. I turned to Don who just looked at me and shrugged - (thanks for that, by the way!) I think I mumbled something like "it's something that married people do...." and then let my voice trail off and ended it by saying "let me get back with you."

Then I immediately went online to my parenting board which I've been a part of for 10+ years now. They all suggested the "It's So Amazing" book.

So I made a beeline to our library today and found the book. When we got home I called all three kids into the living room. I started by saying - "Elle asked me yesterday what sex was so I found this book at the library and thought you guys might find it interesting." All at once they went "ewwww, we don't want to know about that!"

So I just said - ok, well, if you have any questions, I'm happy to discuss it with you. Then they all gathered around me to look at the book. We started by just thumbing through it. They quickly started asking questions when they saw the pictures. They all giggled. a. lot. Which I expected. They couldn't believe the page where it shows the changing body of a male and female. They got to learn about their bodies though - sperm, testicles, fallopian tubes, eggs, uterus, everything. They learned about menstruation, and for that I'm glad. Now they know what it is at least. Man - I never had anyone tell me this stuff.

Then when I read that a man puts his P**** in a woman's V***** - they all three SCREAMED and then burst out laughing so hard that I thought they would never stop. So then it made me laugh - because really - they were SHOCKED that that happens.

But the book was really good and very helpful in talking to children. I loved how it talked about good touches and bad touches. It talked about masturbation, homosexuality, love, birth, adoption. It was so informative and I feel good knowing that my children are informed. I'm sure it won't be the last time we talk about this and I'm glad that they realize that they can ask me anything.

When we spoke of sexual intercourse - Elle was thoroughly grossed out. Jack said he was probably going to be "21 or 25..or maybe even 85" before he did that. Elle said she was going to wait until she was "100 and DEAD."

The book even showed how babies grow in the mommy's tummy and how the baby comes out - vaginally and c-section. It has illustrations but nothing too graphic.

It talked about sexual abuse and explained that if ANYONE touches you in a way that makes you uncomfortable, to tell an adult you trust. And if that adult doesn't believe you - tell another adult and keep telling until someone believes you and helps you. I liked that. I never thought to tell them to keep telling if someone doesn't believe them - I just always figured I'd be the person they told and I'd always believe them.

I can't think of anything that the book doesn't talk about. So, "It's So Amazing" truly is an AMAZING book.

Now - I'm glad that part is over. Oh - I also told them that they don't need to share this information with anyone and if they have more questions to just come to me. Hopefully we won't be getting any phone calls from parents of their friends about info my little angels decided to share. :)