IMO, there isn't a best time
Allow me to explain :)
My son is 8 years old. We discovered yesterday + more today that he's been searching for the following via our tablet on YouTube:
- Nakid girls (spelled as per search)
- Nakid scool girls (OMG!!)
- Kissing
- Justin Bieber kissing a manequin (lol)
So while some of his searches obviously auto generated potential content like the JB one, ummm, yeah, I don't know what to make of that but if you're famous, hey, anything goes (honestly I didn't feel the need to follow that trail, there were more important ones to worry about). Anyway, it was obvious he had learned from someone at school and my wife said "Babes, you need to have 'The Talk.'"
Ok, first step, assess the 'damage'. I was hoping he didn't stumble across some porn that hasn't been removed by YouTube yet. Phew, it all looked ok to me so far.
Next, ask him why he was searching for that content. He was visibly worried which reinforced my suspicion that who was feeding him that info told him he must not tell mommy and daddy, lol, silly kid. Aint nothing getting past mommy!!
I then had to reassure him that I'm not angry and got him as comfortable as possible before proceeding with 'The Talk'.
It went very well and after discussing it in a manner I knew he'd be comfortable with. I discussed love, holding hands, kissing and getting naked plus animals do it as well to procreate. Your way might well be different depending on what works for you and your child. He understood it better, well, much better than the way his friend described it to him. So, lesson learned, for the both of us.
I never anticipated having this discussion with my son at such a young age however the lesson is that as soon as they are curious, the discussion needs to happen. I suppose for older kids, IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN
For me it was creating reassurance that it's ok, rather talking to daddy, it's something that's for adults, you'll hold hands and you'll kiss when you get a little older.
Points
- You don't know what your child is exposed to, therefore sooner rather than later
- Be honest and explain it in a comfortable manner. For me it was reassuring him it's ok
- Get your child to come back to you for any sexual related enquiries
- You don't know what other kids have learnt about sex or where they've learned it from
- Keep a close eye on your kids if you provide them online access. We've snubbed things that were just creating unrealistic expectations
- Justin Bieber kisses manequins