Page 187 - The Intentional Parent

bacterial infection in the genital area. If you notice any redness, swelling, or discharge, consult your pediatrician.
PLAYING DOCTOR
The other day I was having a cup of coffee with a friend of mine, and our two five-year-olds were playing quietly in another room. My friend's child is a girl; mine is a boy. When things got a little too quiet, we poked our heads around the bend and saw that they were both stark naked and very interested in one another. Is this behavior normal?
Yes, this behavior is quite normal. Children are quite curious about one another's bodies and will play "house" or "doctor" and sometimes get carried away. The best thing you can do in this situation is remain neutral. Don't scoop them up as though they have just committed a crime. Simply present the situation as a matter of etiquette by saying, "It's not polite to take your clothes off in front of your friends. Your body is private." No long explanations are needed. You may just leave it at that.
WHEN TO START TALKING ABOUT SEX
At what age should I begin talking to my child about sex? That depends on what age they are when they start asking about sex. In general, the best rule of thumb is, when kids ask you questions about sex, give the answer to the question they ask, and don't volunteer anything else.
One of the first (and almost inevitable) questions a child will ask is, "Where do babies come from?" The explanation for this should be fairly straightforward. When kids are between the ages of three and five, you may omit some of the anatomical details and
The Intentional Parent by Peter J. Favaro, Ph.D. 187