Hi all,
I'm looking for a good book to explain where babies come from to my 7 year old boy, 5 year old boy, and their 3 year old sister.
Their aunt just had a baby, and I've been getting lots of questions. I answer them, but feel like they could use a good base education on the whole subject. I'm not sure how much info to give them, and I think reading a good book to them would help me.
I'd like to go over it this summer, so that the info isn't fresh and they are not talking about it when school starts in the fall.
I especially want to educate my 7 year old before he starts hearing stuff on the playground, and my 5 year old has had the most questions.
Right now they know it takes a Mom and a Dad to make a baby, that they have to want one (that's how I prefer to explain it right now - no need to explain unwanted/unplanned pregnancies), and that the baby comes out from a special spot down by the Mom's bottom (and No, you can't see mine!). :)
But, my 5 year old has specifically asked "But HOW does it get in there?" We were literally on our way out the door when that question came up, so I'd told him we'd talk about it later, but he hasn't asked again.
Thanks for your help!
J.
Go to the local full size library and talk to the children's librarian. She should have a book listing all kids books by topic and age. She will be able to give you a list of many many books to preview so you can decide which ones you feel the best about.
There are board books for kids as young as toddler/2 years old all the way up to graphic pre-teen books that show body parts and more information I want my little ones to have....
My son was like that when he was younger too--I think what we told him when he asked that question was that mommies have eggs and daddies fertilize them--and that was enough for his 5 year old self. I would have gone into more, if he'd wanted it, but that was enough then. When he was 7, he watched a Nature show on whales and learned about sex--and he put together whale sex, human sex, and mom and dad sex right away from there! No advice on books, but good for you!
I need to get one for my 8-year-old as well. I'm pregnant with my third, and she already knows the birds&bees basics. When she was 7, she asked me one time how Moms & Dads got the baby in the Mom's tummy so I had to break it down for her. She took it quite well. I'm a firm believer that if they are old enough to ask, they are old enough to know. Even though I've answered her question I'd like for her to have a book to look at, sometimes even when we think our kids can talk to us, they'd rather have a 'second opinion', and I'd rather it not come from her school friends! LOL
I remember the book "How Did I Get Here". I think that's it but it was probably 40 years ago. It addressed the science aspect as well as the parent aspect (I still remember the father having a special tickle.....UGHHHH!!!).
Unfortunately, your seven year old has probably already hears a lot of misinformation. My daughter is 18 now but I explained all sorts of situations to her early on. She is my adopted biological niece and came from a pretty crazy situation. Combine that with my scientific background and my willingness to talk about ANYTHING, my poor kid was doomed.
I also recommend talking to the children's librarian and asking what they advise since they have knowledge of the newest and best books.
And, remember that the information your 7 year old will understand will be much more advanced than your 3 year old will, so be prepared to get several books. You also may find you're not giving as much information as you think you will, it's best to wait until they ask specific questions, like your 5 year old, otherwise they may get overloaded or confused.
