Yeah, this conversation made me think of that.. *Grin*

How would you protect your child from the 'village idiot'? Children will interact with the 'village idiots' (assuming a village idiot is one whom you feel is not worthy?)

You selected none of the above - thanks

at making it dry and boring

Don't agree that the issues of teen sex, birth control of std's only worry the parent's of the trashy kids.

That's what I know about the school system. I don't have a clue as to what is taught anymore.
At one time, I heard they were passing out condoms.
Me and my virgin Girlfriend learned about sex in the back of my Step-fathers Pick-up. We practiced a lot and I eventually got it right.

LOL The bit about peer pressure, YOUR OPINION. My kids' friends are actually surprised when they find out just how much my kids and I do discuss, and how much they tell me. So no, I do not agree with the BS about their friends having more influence if you establish the honesty and trust from the get go between you and your kid. Mine know I tell them the TRUTH, I don't just guess out of ignorance like their oh so inexperienced little buddies LOL Again, goes back to how you raised them. I am all too well aware of how many parents use that stupid EXCUSE when things go wrong, but it never holds water with me.

And even when I was a teen, I would laugh at the boys who tried to blue balls line on me. Told them it was THEIR ISSUE, not mine LOL I knew they were lying, but sure as heck wouldn't have cared if they weren't. I have this onery streak that makes ME the one who decides what I do, not anyone else.

newie2az - respect your opinion, but others do play a role in who become (positive and negative alike) and how we react and make decisions. jmo

As a parent we can guide, but we do not do the job alone, there are family members, friends, and strangers alike (jmo)

I'd say #2

I always talked to my mom about everything too...but there is always the first time.

Well, I guess you would have to have a clean kid to be able to relate. Your post give the impression that is not the case, as do any others that take this same attitude. Why in the hell do so many parents disregard their RESPONSIBILITIES, and use the excuses so much. Sure, others "play a role", and a LOT of the time, one glance at a freak is all a kid has to get to know they never wanna be like that.

I do feel sorry for the kids of parents that don't have the open lines of communication, trust, firm values, and the confidence in their parents being there to back them when they stand their ground, defending their rights and beliefs. I don't care what anyone else says, since I have so much REAL LIFE PROOF to go by. You would have to have over 40 years of experience working with kids, in schools, daycares, preschools, private homes, other countries....before you would have dealt with as many as I have, and sorry, but they really aren't all that different at the core, and almost all crave that "rock" to cling to. When they DON'T HAVE IT is when they tend to drift along with the pack.

As far as the issue of gay sex, NO PLACE IS SEX ED FOR IT AT ALL. Gays can't reproduce, so on this subject they are irrelevant and have no place at all. The trashiest kids are already flipping back and forth week to week from straight to bi to gay and back again, because it has become "stylish". Whole thing makes me sick. IF parents did their JOBS this thread wouldn't even exist. These people who rely on the village, just sound too lazy to do it themselves.

#2 - Pre-teens and teens are not 'dumb' they need to be provided with as much information that is age appropriate! Children are having sex younger and younger! They need factual and appropriate information!

You have read what you wanted to I am the proud mother of a 23 year old who has not let me down in the least. Let's stay on topic and away from personal innuendos.

I never have nor will I ever disregard any of my responsibilities, to my child, nieces, nephews, neighbors, friends, others in general.
I feel sorry for those that cannot accept others do not think like they do. I am all for open communication, but to live life with blinders on thinking that your actions are the only ones that your children emulate is not being very realistic in my opinion.

You refer to village idiots, freaks - yikes - taking all that time to make those people the focus for your children is rather scary.

sex does not only mean reproduction, question did not mention straight or gay sex ed - it was asked in a general fashion to get opinions. What or how you feel about others sexuality is irrelevant to the question posted.

to know me is to love me not a lazy bone in my body, rather I go the extra mile to help others, I don't sit back and judge others all the while assuming or pretending to be above others. whether it be this case or not, that is how I read you by your responses.

Wow! I stepped into something!

No sunshine you didn't you are more than welcomed and so are your opinions.

I know. I am just in no mood to reply to certain posters! No battling today!

What is age appropriate? I think we are beyond the time of thinking only teens need to know about sex.

every child is different and should be treated as such, think a parent would be best in knowing their child and know if their child is ready.

It's appropriate for the thread.

I've never seen the movie so I also learned that my child shouldn't be seeing it. The first movie wasn't like that.

From what I've seen, the schools are teaching it around 6th grade now.

It wasn't offered when I was a child.

No.2

My ex husbands sum total sex ed was "keep your zipper up"

I found out in unpleasant ways.

I was determined to do better for my children. When my daughter asked the earliest questions like she did when I brought home her new little brother I answered honestly, using correct terms, giving the information she wanted and leaving the door open for more questions.

Honesty and a little humor.

Sex ed wasn't "the talk" but an on-going conversation that arose out of real life situations. Changing my sons diaper and my daughter asking, "What's that? I don't have one!" to "Hey mom if I have testicles why don't they call what girls have breasticles?" We still use the term breasticles...it's funny.

By five having asked and been answered, having observed family and friends express affection and have babies my son understood the facts and knew the terms. So, when a little boy down the street announced that babies came from the oven and that the reason some people were black is because they were burned my son volunteered to educate the kid properly. He explained, using the correct terms sperm, egg and how a baby is born in rather accurate detail to his little group of friends. "Adding, your mommy lied to you. I wonder why?" That evening I received three angry calls. To which I replied had they not lied to their children they wouldn't find themselves in this position.

My children are all adults. We had no unplanned pregnancies and no STD's. They are all open, sexual human beings.

When you hide things and create taboo's you create fertile ground for misunderstanding and possibly fatal mistakes. When you tell some alternate version like babies coming out of ovens you have lied to your child about one of the most basic of human functions.

Kids remember lies. How can they come to you as a young person when they are under pressure or confused about what is right for them when you started the conversation based on a lie.

Trust you child to do the right thing or abandon trust and expect them to not do the right thing...children seldom disappoint when your message is clear.

Maybe more parents should look at the message they are truly sending their children.

If you have good values and impart them in all aspects of your life, if you walk the talk and if you establish a trusting and honest relationship with your children then someone in school telling them how say birth control works it will not make them suddenly go nuts and throw all the rest away.

Facts don't lead children to bad decisions...inconsistency, hypocrisy, fear and ignorance do though.

I had it in sixth grade.

Yes, it is important to have an open relationship with one's child. The child is the priority. But...peer pressure is a fact of life. If there is no peer pressure, the child has no friends. Starting in middle school, children begin to spend more time with their friends and less time with their parents and family. It continues through the 20's.

I love that a village cares about my child -- the grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, teachers, pastor, coaches, and neighbors. The more love for my child, the better.

Reproduction is just a part of sex education.