How much reality do you introduce your children to, and at which age?

[Taverner]

Always wondered what to do on this one...

[madinmaryland]

1. I think there are long books written about this exact subject.

BTW, my daughter is not allowed to start dating until she is 25!!1!!

nuff said!

[Taverner]

3. Good luck on that one

Personally, I don't care what my daughter or son does - as long as they TAKE FUCKING PRECAUTIONS!!!

Yes, condoms, the pill, whatever....

I am only worried about the end result of irresponsible decisions. I have no problem with responsible ones.

[triguy46]

2. Pretty much as things occurred. Didn't try to hide reality, tried to explain it.

Doesn't mean that I put them in questionable situations as 'teaching moments,' but some things cannot be anticipated or avoided.

[mondo joe]

4. The easiest gauge is what they ask about. If you leave an open "space" so they can

ask questions, my rule of thumb is if they're old enough to ask they're old enough for an honest answer, in terms they can understand.

The hard part is having to decide what to tell them when it hasn't even occurred to them to ask about it. :-(

[Taverner]

7. I like that

If they ask

[mondo joe]

9. We also tend to talk about pretty much everything in front of the kids so they

have a lot of opportunities to be curious. A few weeks ago we were talking about Larry Craig and my 10 year old asked who he is and what we were talking about.

THAT was fun. :eyes:

[DarkTirade]

8. That's usually my rule of thumb

but I'm sure when I have kids of my own that'll change. :P

[Ptah]

5. I agree with triguy46.

It's improvisational.

[av8rdave]

6. Mine are both in college now...suppose I should have that sex talk with them?