Let's Talk About S-E-X: A Guide for Kids 9 to 12 and Their Parents

by Sam Gitchel, Lorri Foster

First created by Planned Parenthood/Mar Monte in the late 1980's, this well loved, updated guide insures that children will be given accurate, age-appropriate information about sex. This read-together book helps to begin an open dialogue in the family.
Parents and educators will find discussions of feelings, respecting oneself and others, what's normal, making sense of love and sex, and helpful advice. The book is filled with sound information, illustrations and diagrams, appropriate body terminology, information on STDs and more. Here, the changes all preteens go through are explaned in a simple, straight-forward manner.
In the Parent's Guide (in the back of the book) is the information on how approach the BIG TALK in a way that is comfortable and positive.

Genres: Parenting

100 pages, Paperback

First published January 19, 2005

Reviews

[Cindy Slezinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so my 10 year old daughter is going through puberty and has already had her 1st period. I figured now was a good time to have the “talk” with her about why we have periods and where babies come from. I’ll admit, I was a nervous wreck, what exactly do I tell her that’s age appropriate that she will understand?
Fortunately I discovered this book after doing a search for “how to talk to your 10 year old about sex”. I’m so glad I did. My daughter and I sat together with a bag of cookies and we read this together. It was just the right amount of information, worded in a way I felt she understood.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s feeling uncomfortable about have the birds and the bees conversation with their kids. This book covered all the basics.

[Yamato · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was not what I thought it would be.
Although it did have some good pointers for parents approaching kids on the topic... it was geared towards reading for the kids more than the parents.

[Christy Chance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I previewed this do my ten year old son. He's begun asking basic questions, so we wanted a tool to aid in our discussion. This book isn't gender specific, which I liked. In general it feels like basic biological information without a lot of embellishment. It says it's for ages 9-12, but I honestly think that must be for more mature children than mine. He's still not quite ready for this yet, but when his questions become more specific, we will be referencing this book. It also includes question/answer sections for the child that I found could help guide conversation, and a parent reference. Very handy.

[Duane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although this book is filled with information relative to the topic of the book, it's just so dry and boring, I don't feel it'll appeal to the age group it's intended for. The illustrations are small and textbook like which helps in no way when it comes to learning what you're so interested in finding out when you're that age. A older teenager might find this book helpful, but as for early teens, which is what this book is intended for, it missed entirely. There are a lot better books out there for your reading.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this book from Amazon because I felt it was time to have the 2nd "talk" with my tweener kids (a boy and girl both going through puberty. . .oy vey). We've already had the talk about the difference between boys and girls but have not talked about "it" or relationships. Lately, I've noticed their conversations when they do not think I am listening are centered around the subject and they are definitely curious. I hope this book will help them to feel more comfortable discussing this subject with me. It came highly recommended. Wish me luck.

[Ami · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want to have a talk without everything being about boys being attracted to girls and girls being attracted to boys this is not your book! The parent guide in the back offers some cursory nods beyond heteronormativity but no real understanding of kids who just don't know (or know how to express it) yet. I think for a family that is wanting to talk about the importance of family values in a particular way this book may be good. And in the early 90s I'm sure it was great. But not what I'm looking for to support me in the talk.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as a possible book to share with my nine year old son who has a lot of questions I'm not sure how to answer. As another reviewer said, the book is pretty dry, but the information is basic and clear and to the point. Hopefully it's not the best that's out there, but it does the job.

[Brittany Podolak · Rating 5 out of 5]

great tips for preparing for "the talk". Good reference for how to handle uncomfortable questions.