And this, my friends, is how I learned about the birds and the bees. When I was seven years old, my parents gave me this book to learn how babies were made. Illustrated naked people – an illustrated penis entering an illustrated vagina. And of course, the above. *shudder* BUT it did show me how things worked.
Are you reading this post, or just staring at the picture? Can you even look away? While you’re staring at the picture, does anyone know why the doctor is carrying a hammer? And why is no one ready to catch the baby?
Anyway. In the last week, my six-year old daughter has been asking me how babies are made. I don’t think my daughter is ready for images like the one above. She is a sensitive soul, and I worry that these kind of images would scar her for life. After all, to this day, I have never been able to kiss a man with a beard.
So I sat Moozles down for a Rated-6 version of how babies are made. I told her that ladies and girls have vaginas. I had been calling it a front-bum as I was worried that vagina was too clinical a word for a toddler. But she’s six and I thought she should know that she has a vagina. Natch.
Moozles is quite interested in science, so I grabbed her Human Body Encyclopedia. Near the end of the book, which she hasn’t gotten to yet, there are a few pages dedicated to reproduction. I think that these pictures, along with my words, have helped explain where the baby grows, how the baby develops and how the baby comes into the world. Although I mentioned the egg and sperm, I did not mention any need of a penis. After all, in these modern times, making babies happens in many ways.
Have you explained how babies are made? How did you do it? Does your child know that they have a penis or a vagina, or are you still using ‘cute’ names?
If you fancy a giggle, have a look at this video version of the The True Story of How Babies Are Made. The video is made from the pictures from the actual book.
*Photo credit: top photo: from ‘The True Story of How Babies Are Made’, written by Per Holm Knudsen Bottom two photos: from Human Body Encyclopedia, published by DK
Oh my goodness – that picture! Well, that explains a lot… Let us know what she says as the info sinks in! x
PS it’s nice that the mother had time to put her hair in pigtails for her ‘shot’!
The mum had permanent pigtails. Her hair was never messed up, not even in labour. What a woman!
Eek! My daughter is 8 and always asking where babies come from, but I really struggle to tell her. She knows which bit of the body they come out of and she knows the Daddy puts a seed in the Mummy – but I just can’t tell her how the seed gets there! It’s very silly, because I learned at school myself when I was 8, which was very useful as my mum was pregnant with my sister at the time. As it happens, my sister is now pregnant, so my daughter would really like to know where the baby came from!
It’s tough, because sex is such a natural thing. But explaining the actual act would feel like saying goodbye to your little girl (if that makes sense).
Oh my! lol……The video! It is very informative though.
Did it answer all your questions? haha
Oldest is only three so we’ve not gotten to this topic yet, although, when my husband and his two siblings were small, my in-laws gave them an illustrated book, not dissimilar to this one, that went into FAR too much detail. It described orgasm as “a delicious shudder” with cartoon illustrations to accompany it!
Sounds like you did a great job. xp
Yikes, that IS too much detail. I’m sure there are some good modern books that show what happens without being too graphic. Hopefully my daughter doesn’t spend all day telling her friends about her vagina. ha!
My daughter turned 2 in August and knows that girls have vaginas and boys have penises. I was taught the proper terms from the first and could never really bring myself to call them any ‘cutesy’ names!
When she asks where babies come from, I’ll tell her. Or maybe just show her the video…! 🙂
I don’t enjoy the expression in those men’s eyes at all……disturbing. This has made me chuckle very much indeed!! xx
Oh my that picture – it would have scared me for life at that age. I’m thankfully a few years off this talk but can’t say I’m looking forward to it
That picture is so funny! It must be from the same era as “The joy of sex” with such a full beard! I had to tell my oldest when I was pregnant with N°2 as he was asking so many questions. He was 5. He then told all his friends at school which got back to me via their parents! It was slightly embarrasing but luckily he understood and got his facts right so he did tell his friends the proper scientific version!
I have so far managed to not have this conversation with my children, I can’t say I’m looking forward to it
Good for you for not shying away from the conversation, I wonder what extra questions will come out as the information sinks in!xx
Great post! My twins are 8 and apparently Sex Ed starts this year in school…… couldn’t believe it as they are so not ready!! In some ways cartoons are easier for kids though as it’s isn’t quite as real. That’s how Gt Ormond St have introduced procedures to them and it’s made them less scary.
Oh my gosh that picture!!! All sorts of wrong :-/
Times like this i feel dead lucky that my eldest has no interest in things that don’t have wheels!
Fab post though Elfa! xx
My 5 year old told me her friend’s mummy had gone to hospital to get a baby the other day. I assume she wasn’t stealing someone else’s so have left it at that! Think I’ll avoid illustrations like those in the book though as they’ve scarred me already!
I am dreading this conversation already!
I feel inspired. Lets all have babies together.
That video is even more scary than the original photo! Not sure I will forget the baby waving! Seriously though its a discussion that has gone on for years. I took my two when they were very young to the Natural History Museum which had a whole exhibition on Human Reproduction. We walked through it and I read everything to them and answered any questions – including from other children who became hangers on as my daughter was slightly deaf so my explanations were of necessity quite loud! I thought some of it would stick and it was a basis for further discussion in the future. Though it was a bit off putting when my (then) six year old daughter looked at me and said very seriously ‘hmm so I could do this with ***** from school then?’ No!!!!!
Oh lord I’m dreading this conversation! I remember when my parents sat me down to talk about the birds and the bees – I was horrified!