This post on Where Do Babies Come From is part of a paid campaign with AMAZE and Women Online. All opinions are my own.
After years of telling us, he wanted a baby brother or sister, we made Sesame’s dreams come true a few days after Christmas 2016 when we told him he was finally going to be a big brother. Within two minutes of the announcement, while I was still recording his reaction, he said “It’s a baby in mama’s belly. How did it get in there?”
I told him we’d talk about that later and quickly turned the video off. How was I not prepared for that question? I have difficult conversations with him all the time but for some reason, I froze when he asked me that question. I kept avoiding the question for the first few weeks of my pregnancy until one day in the car Sesame started singing about a baby being in my belly and then decided he needed to know how the baby got in my belly. I tried ignoring him but Mr. S started giggling, which of course made Sesame keep repeating his question despite me trying to tell him we had a book at home on the subject.
I finally gave in and here’s the conversation
Me: Well mommy has eggs that get fertilized and it makes a baby.
Sesame: *shocked* But, you don’t like eggs!!!
Me: *sigh*
Sesame: Mommy, but you don’t like eggs how did they get there.
Me: They’re not the kind of eggs you eat. I was born with them already.
Sesame: *goes back to singing*
I think I did pretty well all things considered but I really could have used the “How Babies Are Made?” episode from AMAZE Parent Playlist. Specifically, the reminder that this is not necessarily a conversation about sex but about origins.
What’s the AMAZE Parent Playlist?
AMAZE originally started in 2016 to help provide accurate and inclusive sex ed videos to children 10-14 years old. Now they’re helping parents become their children’s primary sex ed teacher. The playlist includes 10 animated videos that are designed to teach parents of young children (ages 4-9) the best ways to talk to their children about sex, healthy relationships, and growing up. The AMAZE Parent Playlist was created by AMAZE and sexual health expert and author, Deborah Roffman.
I’m surprised that Sesame didn’t eventually ask how the eggs are fertilized but thanks to AMAZE I’ll be ready when he does. I also feel better prepared for initiating the conversation on my own thanks to these “8 Things to Know before you talk to kids about SEXUALITY”
Don’t keep all this great information to yourself. Share the AMAZE Parent Playlist with a friend.
