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Sex and Santa: When Should a Parent Tell the Truth?

A homeschooling and philosophizing parent writing on Nashoba.com, ponders the right timing for uncovering the truth about Santa and sex, especially when it comes to her youngest children.  She points out that while many homeschooling parents choose to educate their children outside of the public school system in order to protect their innocence, by schooling all different ages together, the younger children are sometimes exposed to more advanced information (insemination anyone?).

Homeschooling parents aren't the only ones concerned about the sex-kittenish behavior of the under 10 set and most of us can appreciate the effort it takes to stand between your child and the over-sexed world around them, but I don't think sex and Santa are equal affronts to innocence, especially when it comes to the under 6s. 

The questions burning the brains of the youngsters in my family have more to do with "Where's the magical fairy person?" and "Mommy, can I have wine too?" and "Does Santa know I hit Violet?"  So far, my house is free of sexual curiosity, but perhaps a little bit of homeschooling would solve that problem.


Comments

 

Patti said:

I have to admit I read that essay and wondered what it had to do with homeschooling specifically. My four year old, who attends a private preschool, frequently comes up with the same type of question, and has little exposure to older kids. We've had to tackle all kinds of procreation questions, although she hasn't quite touched on precisely how daddy's sperm gets to mama's egg. Yet. My conclusion is that the curiosity over such things depends more on the kid, less on the methods of instruction the family employs.

February 4, 2007 11:46 PM
 

Peter said:

Is "If you drink enough wine, you'll see the magical fairy person" an inappropriate response to those questions?

February 5, 2007 12:11 AM
 

Kristina said:

I've started talking about sex with my kids from basically the day they were born, including how the sperm gets to the egg.  Reasons: 1) it's easier on them and me than waiting to have the dreaded "talk"; and 2) i'm assuming their ears and brains will only take in what they can handle and will basically shut out the rest.  I was raised this way and I greatly appreciated knowing the truth vs. what I was told on the playground - hopefully my kids will appreciate it too.

On the Santa front, however, I lie like the devil.

February 5, 2007 12:40 AM

About Rachael Brownell (Redsy)

Rachael is mother to three daughters and lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She writes at Redsy.com and ImperfectParent.com

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