[Janet]

We started with all this when my son was very small. We always used the correct terminolgy concerning body parts. As much as I hated and for some reason was embarassed, saying those words made my skin crawl, but I did it anyway. Whenever Rick would ask questions I would answer him as honestly and open as I could for his age level. When he was in the sixth grade is when they showed him and his class (boys separate from girls) the 'health' films. He came home with a little pamphlet and wanted to know more, so I sat with him and explained everything, including the emotional side to it all. A few weeks later he wanted to know just exactly what a 'rubber' was. So I explained that as well.

I tried my hardest not to act like it bothered me explaining this all too him and I think I did a good job. It was something, I guess, he didn't want to talk with his dad about. We've always had a close relationship and I always told him there was NOTHING we couldn't discuss and that if I didn't know the answer, we would find out together. It's still that way today. We talk about anything and everything. Rick knows I'll always be honest with him. He's 16 now and I hope it stays this way forever.