There's No Place Like Home for Sex Education: 5 Years (continued)

Besides the fact that Jimmy deserves an honest answer, his parents appreciate that he will be interacting with females throughout his life. He needs to understand how their bodies work, as well as his own. There's no point in keeping body functions a mystery. By explaining issues such as menstruation as normal and healthy, parents help children accept them as so.

Another Tough One …

As is true for most sexual topics, there's no right or wrong answer for the question of masturbation. Each family must make a decision based upon personal values and beliefs. Along with this guideline, consider the following:

• Most children fondle their genitals—often when they're tired, bored, nervous—as well as for pleasure!
• Masturbation is normal; not masturbating is also normal.
• There is no physical or psychological harm associated with masturbation. If a child masturbates excessively (interfering with other normal activities), it may indicate a problem. Parents would want to call their physician or health care provider.

If parents disapprove of masturbation, they can express that without causing the child to feel ashamed or guilty.

Parents who accept that masturbation is a normal activity, need to help their child understand the concepts of appropriate time and place: "I know it feels good to touch your genitals. But do so in private—not where others can see you." This sets important limits for the child.

For some parents, masturbation may never be a comfortable topic to discuss, yet it's important to do so. If parents merely ignore the behavior or try to divert the child's attention with a toy or different activity, they've missed an ideal "teachable moment" to share information and values.