Mommy, What's A Condom?

My son asked me one night, after hearing a commercial for them on the local radio station.

So, I told him. Didn't even think about it - just answered the question as if he had asked what we were having for dinner. I told him it was a form of birth control and it also protected against some STD's.

He then wanted to know the details about it. Do you swallow it like the pill he sees me take every morning? How well does it work?

So, I told him that info too. Except I wasn't sure on the exact effectiveness.

So, when we got home hubby and I took him upstairs and pulled out the box. It doesn't say how effective it is. We explained to him that it really depends on how well you use it. He asked to see this curious thing one puts on one's penis. And yes, we showed him too.

Our son is only 9. But, being a former teacher in the elementary schools, I'm aware of how much some kids know these days. And I've also sat in on the Family Life Education lessons (otherwise known as Sex Ed) the public school provides to 5th and 6th graders. I also feel sex ed to be primarily a parents responsibility. I remember my Mom sitting me down and telling me when I was in 4th grade and about how my body was going to change. She wanted me to hear it from her, with the correct terminology and facts, before I heard it from my friends.

And hubby and I want the same for our son. We treat sex questions pretty naturally around here. We also want our son to feel comfortable asking us ANYTHING and also trusting us that we will give him the best answer we can. And this includes the topic of sex.

And so, when my son asked me what a condom was, he got an answer.

Note: We have also firmly told him that because he has this knowledge it does not mean his friends do and this is not a topic to go blabbing about at school. It's not taboo, but not an appropriate topic for the lunch table. We've told him not all parents have told their kids details about sex like we have and he has to respect that for now.

This is an original DC Metro Moms Blog post. When not answering question about sex to her son, Robin can be found blogging about other stuff at MyLifeAsItIs.