Answering an 8 Yr Olds Questions

Well although she is a little young, you should start the open dialouge now. you dont have to give a lot of details but simple answers will let her know that she can come talk to you about anything. this is going to become very important in the next few years. try and be as honest as possible without all the grown up stuff, some things you may have to face that she is going to learn them anyway better from you than the kids at school.

Honestly. Quick and straight to the point. No indepth details, no diagrams...just a quick true answer. A virgin: someone who hasn't had sexual intercourse before...if you can't bring yourself to say that, just say sexual contact on purpose. Tampon: women use them when they're on their period...you can even add "the way people use toilet paper in their nose when they're bleeding from the nose."

There is absolutely no point in being shy about the information. It's better she get it from you becuase she's already getting information from tv, movies, commercials, magazines, friends, and teachers...better for you to get on and frame it the way you want it to be filtered.

No worries Mommy, you got this!!!

As long as she's the one asking, then she's ready to hear. These are personal questions, but they're nothing to be ashamed of. You would definitely rather be the one educating her than leave that all to her friends and other adults.

I grew up in a household where there was no communication and everything was a secret. I was very naive to a lot of stuff. I feel I have a lot of trust issues because of it. I told myself early on that I was not going to raise my kids like that at all. My daughter is 18 years old and going off to the University in the fall and I can truly say she is a virgin. That is a very scarce thing these days. I have always been very open with her. She would ask me questions and I would answer accordingly. I always gave her age-appropriate answers. For example: at age 8, just give simple answers. "What is a virgin?" Someone who is very pure and untouched. Believe me, if she doesn't learn the right thing from you she will go and learn the wrong thing elsewhere. There is a lot of temptation everywhere. My daughter has very high self-esteem and that is extremely important. I think that because she is able to ask her mom about anything helps. Everyone has different ideas on the subject, but I chose to break the chain of how I was raised and how my mother was raised. My son asks me stuff about life and that is difficult for me sometimes but I still do it to my best knowledge. I want him to feel like he can be very open with me also. I am very blunt and sometimes my best advice for him is "Keep it in your pants." He is 14 years old. Good luck to you. I depends a lot on what makes you feel comfortable.

Hi C., I see you have a lot of responses. I remember asking my mom what a virgin is when I was young. She gave me some strange answer that didn't really make sense. It taught me that my mom was not willing to discuss things with me. So, when I was older and had more serious questions, I knew not to ask her. I had nobody to really talk to about hard things. So, you are laying a foundation for later discussions. If some things are too mature for her to know just yet, you can tell her that the information she wants is like a heavy suitcase. You will need to carry it for her right now, but when she gets a bit older, she will be strong enough to carry it. (This is from The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom) It does seem to satisfy for the time. Some things are too heavy for them to bear. I think you can explain the tampon thing by giving a basic health lesson about periods and women. They don't need much info, really. Anyway, I hope something in here is helpful to you!

C.,

8 years old is not too young because you really don't know when she is going to start her period and that is when you will really get questions coming about sex and about her body what really might help is if the school that she goes to offers a course in sex education I would put her in that course and have some of her teachers help you out with some of those questions that she is coming to you with or it may be time to really talk about the bird and the bees if you would like a book that is easy for her to read and is fun you can get the book The Birds, The Bees, and the Bearenstain Bears, this book should help and then if she has more questions she can come to you or her teachers.

Hope this helps

A. M.

She is old enough to know the truth. Her friends are obviously talking about it, so wouldn't you rather she has the real story? She isn't far from puberty, and will need to know about what her body is doing. I say be honest and answer her questions.

Dear Frystal,

I think you should tell her these things. I beleive the more informed she is, the better off she is in the long run. Kids are very curious and want the truth. The truth will not hurt her and her questions are just facts of life. Kids these days are experimenting with sex so much earlier. She probably knows girls that are already being pressured or have been in sexual situations with boys. I would sit her down and explain it all in a very matter of fact truthful way. If you are honest and open she will be more apt to be honest and open. Children are bombared in school, by friends, tv, movies, etc. If she knows she can get the truth from you, she will come to you when it matters most. Good luck!

It is scary to think that our eight year olds are already hearing about all of this. I have found with my daughter I just give her truthful, but simple answers. I know I would rather her her the truth from me than from the kids at school. Make sure you have an open conversation so she knows she can always come to you. We did have the talk a couple months ago when our daughter was 8 (she just turned 9). Because she had a friend that had told her some things and we wanted her to hear it from us. We didn't tell her a lot of details, mostly that she should not let boys touch her and if she doesn't feel comfortable about something, say no and then talk to us. Every once in a while we just check in on things. Good Luck!

C.,
I have a very inquisitive 7 year old daughter as well. She asks me questions that catch me off guard too!! But she is never ever too young to hear the truth. Maybe not all the nitty gritty details, but always the truth. If she doesn't learn ENOUGH to curb her curiosity from you, her very intelligent mother, she'll learn it elsewhere.

So when my daughter asked me about periods at age 5 or so, we had a "lesson" on the female reproductive system, in words that are correct and terms that she could understand.

You're on the right boat by being surprised. I'm not sure who is causing this killer curiosity in our children at a younger than imaginable age, but it is there! We just have to beat it before it beats us. Ask your daughter questions too, like what SHE thinks a virgin is, or a tampon is used for. Then explain it the best you can in terms that she can understand.

You're gonna do fine!!
V.

Hi C. boy those are hard questions and so young but I have a great book it is called "Whats love got to do with it: Talking with kids about sex". Check it out. They say that if the kids are asking you need to start telling them. They dont need all the adult details but you have to keep the communication open now. Good luck

I feel for you. My policy with my 9 yr old daughter has been to be very clear with her. She started asking questions at 7. I answer any questions she has, but at the same time I'm trying to make sure that she understands that some things are just not appropriate at 9. My reasoning is this... I would rather be the one that she gets her information from. Who knows what her friends are telling her? I'm still upset that she is beginning to get boobs already, at such a young age... She should still get to enjoy being a kid, not having to think about all that growing up stuff... It's very scary to me that they are starting so young these days. I'm not sure if my post helps, except to know that you are not alone...

I agree 8 is a little young, BUT if she's asking and she's heard the words and she's getting curious. You can give her an age appropriate answer. Girls are starting puberty earlier and earlier, so she should know about that. As far as a virgin let her know it's someone who is saving their heart and body for the person they are spending the rest of there life with and when she gets older you will talk more about it. Good luck! Remember if you don't tell her someone else will!!!!

Hi C. - growing up comes with lots and lots of questions and kids are growing up faster than ever. Keep the lines of communication open and use your best judgment. If she doesnt feel she can get the answers she is looking for from you, she will look for them elsewhere.

My first question would be "why are you curious about these things? Are your friends talking about them"? This may help you to define better what information she is looking for. She is getting close to an age where she is going to need to know about puberty and changes in her body. Also, now is the time to teach her to set boundaries with her body. I'm saddened by the fact that young kids in 5th and 6th graders are sexually active.

It's okay to tell her basic information about her questions and only going deeper into it as she is ready. There are several good books that are medically accurate and age-sensitive to help teach pre-teens about their bodies and reproduction. My sis-in-law found a great one just at her public library.

When I was nine, my mom gave me a book called woman to woman. It was written in a question and answer format by a woman doctor. It seemed really weird to me at time, but I came to really value it. Whenever I had a question that I was too embarassed to ask I could read about it in the book. My friend even read it. She did not really sit down and talk to me about it, which thinking back I wish she had, but the book was one of the many childraising techniques I learned from my mother that I will pass on to my kids.
I found that the more matter of fact I am the easier it is. If you give her the real facts and maybe a book to back her up, maybe she will be the one her friends come to for correct info like I was.
Don't be embarassed when you talk to her, these are natural parts of life and should be special not uncomfortable. This is her starting to be a woman and who better to help her along the way than the woman who created her?

Good Luck

I think 8 is the perfect age. That's how old all of us were when our parents had a lengthy talk about sex and everything else. I had a few friends that got their periods at 9, so you want to be sure she knows about it before it hits. Kids are forced to grow up so fast these days and you'd hate for her to seek answers in other places. It's great she's wanting to talk to YOU about it. and you should want her to know the true answers if she's curious. I think she's old enough

Hi C.,
If she is asking the questions she probably knows more than you think. I would answer as truthfully as possible without giving more specifics than necessary. Tell her as she gets older you will fill in more of the blanks but you are so happy she is asking you the questions and you want her to feel comfortable to continue asking the questions.
SarahMM

My mom sat me down when I was 9 years old and went over all of it, then left the conversation as an open dialogue. I could ask questions whenever I had one. Unfortunately, even at that young age several other kids had told me things that simply weren't true. It was a little confusing. If she is already asking questions that specific, it's probably a good idea to explain things in a way you are comfortable with. She will find answers and you want them to be from you, not her friends at school.

I think that while your daughter IS rather young to be asking those questions, it is clear that she is hearing these words somewhere (my guess, kids at school/on the playground). Should your daughter be hearing this kind of talk, I feel it is important she learn the truth from you and your husband, instead of hearing it from some kid. Again, that seems like a pretty young age to hear about this, but it would be better for her to have that talk from her parents, than getting the wrong information from children.
Good luck to you

I agree, if she is asking the questions then she is old enough for the answer. Of course it needs to be age approprite. I would also like the second the book, "It's perfectly normal" I had it growing up and I did go back and refer to it. It also helped me dispell myths amongst my peers.
Books go get
1. It's perfectly normal by Robie H. Harris, Michael Emberley
2. My body myself for girls by Lynda Madaras, Area Madaras
3. Life Blood: A New Image for Menstruation by Margaret Sheffield (Author), Sheila Bewley (Illustrator)

This is also the perfect opportunity to instill your personal values around sexuality and interpersonal relations.

If she's old enough to ask, she's old enough to get an answer. She's obviously already heard the terms somewhere. If you answer her questions candidly, she'll keep coming to you for this kind of information. If you don't, she'll seek the answers somewhere else (and who knows how accurate it will be, or what the agenda of the person telling her is!)

You don't have to go into all of the details. For example, when she asks what a tampon is for, talk really briefly about a period, and tell her that it's one way of keeping your clothes clean during your period (this will be much easier if she's already heard/seen about you menstrating). Keep the sex talk on her level - you know how mature she is and how much she can take in - just don't ignore it or give her the "I'll tell you when you're older". As moms, we never think our kids are old enough for "the talk." But if we want them to follow our standards, we need to talk about these things.

If asking about a tampon is hard just wait! I think 8 is the perfect time to discuss about her body, what she will go through in a very short time, girls can get their period as early as 9 on up. I got mine at 12. It is far better she feels comfortable coming to you then her friends that could give her bad information. I think you owe it to her to sit down and talk to her about it. You don't have to get descriptive about sex, however, explaining what happens when her body are going to change and virginity is a precious gift from your body you do not give up until she is a healthy relationship and a lot older! :)
My four year old caught me changing a pad when I had my period and asked me about the blood, he freaked, then I calmly just said when girls are older they get blood down there, it isn't due to a boo boo but because their bodies need to do that every month if they are not pregnant, that God made girls different like that.
He was satisfied with that answer and it was done.
My seven year old came to me asking what being gay meant.
I had to explain that some people have different kinds of families and all that stuff.
Then she left it alone after I answered her questions.
I am finding out fast if you don't do it, she will get bad information from friends and be very confused when you do talk to her.
Keep the door open for her to come to you, start by not avoiding questions or getting uncomfortable, otherwise she will feel there is something wrong with that all. Tampons are a very normal part of her learning about puberty.

C.,

Your 8 year old daughter is in a stage of life that more important than the answers themselves is her perception of how honest you can be with her. This is the age where she is deciding whether or not she can trust those around her.

Great is the possibility that many of the question she is asking have been talked about with friends. There are probably friends with older sisters.

If you are not sure the best way to answer questions about the female body I would suggest you going to the library and finding age appropriate material to assist you.

Look at your believes about why she shouldn't be told "the whole truth". Is there anything in your way?

Wishing you success and happiness.
With my whole heart, C.

I didnt read all the other posts so I hope this isn't too redundant. If your daughter is asking these questions, then she is not too young to get answers. Kids (in all backgrounds) are doing oral sex in 6th and 7th grade ( they believe its better because they are still virgins) Girls nowdays are starting their periods and 9 and 10, and they need to know about their bodies. This doesn't mean that you have to go into full blown details about everything, but answer her questions simply and truthfully. I think this is a great opportunity to create a wonderful dialogue with your daughter so she will hopefully come to you in the future with questions. I come from a very prudish family where everything was not discussed. I was given a very basic idea by my mom of how my body would change and that was it. It made sex (even when married) and everything about my body feel dirty. So in the end I learned everything from my friends in school and believe me you get misinformed about everything, it makes you an easier target for not so nice boys, and because its taboo you are more interested in learning about it. I was fortunate enough to have good friends that did look out for me, so I faired better than my sisters. I cant remember who told me about it ( friend with 2 girls or school nurse in my family) there is a book called the Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls, it might be a good start. How you start talking with her now will affect how she comes to you in the future. I cant say I've been there yet, but watching my friends have a healthy relation with their girls and seeing how they are turning out, gives me hope. Unfortunately kids are forced into more grown up situations earlier than we were and it is better to be armed with information and the knowledge that you can turn to an adult. I know it is hard, but our babies grow up. Good luck with everything.

FYI , she is not too young to get SOME info....just the basic in parts and functions.
I had this discussion when my now 11yr old was 7 .. freaks you out at first. They do not grasp it all anyway....
The American Girl book series is WONDERFUL for starting dialog and child related drawings. It is IMPORTANT to take away the fear and start an open door policy on the talks... nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. Times have changed. My daughter ask because of hanging with Mom in the bathroom, it was just time to calm some of her fears. I suggest looking at the books first for her age group and keep it simple.
We have had a dog who had pups, I think her watching all that was helpful. Good Luck, Lord knows they grow up so fast, but.. we should prepare them slowly now.

As the mother of an 11 year old daughter myself - my advice is to always be truthful while giving her just enough info to keep her satisfied for her maturity level right now. I think she's old enough to let know that older girls and mommys get something called a period which cleanes her body each month and will enable her to have babies someday. But I don't think she needs to know any more than that for a couple more years. As far as the virgin one - I'd find out where she heard that and what she already knows. You can just decribe it as purity for now and see how she takes to that. Good luck!!

I think you can definitely give an honest answer without going into great detail. I've always used the right terms with my kids for things. I don't think 8 is too young to explain menstruation in simple terms. The tampon is used to absorb the blood so you can go swimming. You can go two ways on virgin - someone who is not married (though we know that is often not the story) or someone whose hymen is still intact. You don't even have to go down the whole sex route. Kids are smarter than we give them credit for and can handle the info. Better from you than from some kid on the playground. Lots of good books exist too.
Good luck.
S.

Tell her the truth, just not "all" the details. It is better that she hear it from you instead of other , unreliable, sources. Sometimes, if you don't answer the questio, they become more determined to find out the answer....answer it, and they let it go.

Coming from someone who was left to just figure it out, I beg you to please answer her questions honestly NOW. Believe it or not there may already be a girl or two in her class that already has a period. Yes, at her age. I was shocked too, to hear how young but girls are having sex as young as 10 now. It's better if she knows the truth and she is prepared even if it's not her body she will understand her friends and not be so influenced by them. I have heard that there is a great book called, "The Care and Keeping of You". I haven't started reading it since it did not apply to my boys but I do plan to get if when my daughter is a bit older. She's only 3 now.

About menstruation:
"When you started to grow in my womb, you needed a special blanket all around you on the inside of my womb to feed and protect you until you grew an umbilical cord. It was made mostly out of blood, called "endometrium". Every month, a woman's body builds the special blanket just in case a baby is beginning to grow. If a baby doesn't start to grow, the blanket drains away. Pads and tampons (show them to her) are used to help absorb the blood." Describe a vagina as a very special tunnel that leads to the womb, that can stretch to let a baby be born.

About sex:
"Your body belongs to you and to God. Private parts are especially special, and not for sharing with anyone. They are so special, because God uses these parts to build families. The Bible teaches us that a man and a woman become "one flesh". That means that a man's body can fit together with a womans body using the special private parts. Their bodies and spirits join together to make a strong marriage, and to start a new life growing! God used my private parts, with your Daddy's, to join us in marriage and to give us you, our children! We are so thankful!"

I haven't gone farther than the "building a family" statement with my kids (6, 5, and 3), but will need to do it soon with my first grade daughter I guess! I will probably also caution her not to talk about it at school with other kids who may not know, and also caution her about some of the ways sex is viewed and used destructively. Emphasize the spiritual, rather than the mechanical aspect of sex, to avoid the fallacy that oral sex is okay for kids!

blessings, and best of luck!

I'm sorry to burst your bubble but you should really just be honest and tell her about all of those things she's asking about. You can dumb it down a little to a level that she'll understand but you should really tell her. Because if you don't then she'll find out at school (usually not accurate and inappropriate). Pull out the old biology books. make it scientific... that's what I would do. good luck... it's really sad that our world is in a state where you need to have the sex talk (and all it's inner workings) at such a young age!

kids are growing up way faster than we did when we were kids. But i agree with alot of these other ladies...8 is not that young to be asking these questions espeically in this day and age.

You will best off if you have the talk with her now and answer any questions she may have so the line of communication will be open. You want them to hear it from you rather than distorted information that other kids give out.

I had the talk with my daughter when she was six...simply cuz she was asking the questions already. Better to be honest and forthright. It wasnt easy but im glad i talked with her because now she comes to me for lots of different questions and our line of communication has been opened.

Good luck

Hi C.~

If your daughter is asking you these questions then she has heard this from somewhere, from someone. Chances are she may not be receiving correct information so this is your opportunity to give her the appropriate information. My pediatrician told me that if they are asking the question then they want the information. Don't give them more than they asked about but be truthful with them. My 6 year old son asks how babies are made and how the baby gets into mommy's tummy, etc. I want them to have the real information and not a made up story that they hear from friends of older siblings of friends. My other advice would be not to use "sugar coated" words. Use correct terminology for everything and be as honest as you can. She's asking for a reason and if you don't give her the correct information, she will seek it out from someone else that may not have her best interest at heart. Good Luck.

Yes, it seems young, but since she's asking you owe it to her to give a complete answer. Better it come from you with all the correct terminology than from her peers. Its also easier before her embarrassment kicks up so much that she won't ask you...Be as complete and honest as possible without being graphic, she'll appreciate it.

I have a9 yr old daughter and we just had this discussion the other day. I had a baby last year and that came with a bunch of questions. My husband and I answered all her questions with age appropriate answers. I also bought her the book by Usborne, What's happening to me, for girls." It's a great guide to help answer those questions. good Luck and remember, if you don't give her answers and take the time to spend with her now she will turn to her friends and you will miss the opportunity. Say a prayer before you talk to her. I know it's hard to let our little girls grow up. Best of Luck.

How you handle these questions sets the tone for how you and your daughter will communicate about other sensitive issues. I think it's OK to speak frankly about menstruation and the choices people make regarding virginity, since neither is at all shameful, just personal. If you are embarrassed, she may feel like you can't handle other questions later--and you want to be her first and most reliable source of information about growing up.
I think it's OK to admit you are unsure about how to answer her questions, or say they are questions about grown-up things or things people get silly about because they are private and personal, but I believe a child deserves accurate answers to questions. The more important the answer, the more important it is for you to be the one giving honest, accurate information. Do not leave anything to chance.
While she may not need a ton of information at age 8, she needs to know she can ask you anything. If you are inaccurate or shameful then she may wonder later if you're wrong about lots of things--for example, if you were to suggest kissing is bad now, but she finds out at age 16 that it's actually pretty fun, will she wonder if she just has a crazy prude for a mom? You sound like you're eager for her to have good information, you're just trying to follow her lead in how much info to give her.No matter what your family's values regarding intimacy are, consider adding credibility to yor comments by acknowledging that other perspectives about intimacy exist, so she knows you're not naive. When I was about 12, I lived near a big city. My dad and I drove near the "red light district" and I saw a display in a store window of some S and M sexy stuff. I asked what it was for, and I will respect my dad forever for his unflinching, honest response. He said that everyone thinks sex is fun, but some people think it's supposed to hurt. He said people in our family were blessed to know better, because we believe sex is about sweetness and love between married people, and that even though other people thought that was old-fashioned, he knew it was right. My parents' honesty and frankness really helped me grow into healthy attitudes and feel unconditional love in my home so I did not need to seek it out elsewhere through risky behavior in my teen years. I am trying to follow their example. Just this week, my first grade boy asked me about the difference between "cute" and "sexy." That's how pervasive sexualized media messages are--my six-year-old thought "sexy" just meant "pretty," like he could say his grandma looked sexy in her new earrings. He didn't understand the connotations, but had heard the word an awful lot at school. These conversations with him helped me realize there is no right time for "The Talk," because it must be an ongoing, nonthreatening dialog.
BTW, the PG movie "Marley and Me" depicts a married couple discussing starting a family, and then going home to have a mild bed scene. The ups and downs of their mostly happy family life are in contrast to the shallowness of their eternal bachelor friend's relationships. I was happy for my children to see this film and be able to discuss it with them. Could be a good one to see with your family, too.
My sincere best wishes to you.

Believe me, at 8-years-old if you don't tell her, someone else will. She is not too young, you just don't have to go into great detail. Keep in mind that a lot of girls start their period at 9 (not the average, but there are quite a few out there) and kids DO start talking about sex around 6-8-yrs of age.
You're not naive, just a normal parent!

I have been teaching 7/8 year olds for over ten years and some know much more than we did at their age. Especially kids that age with older siblings. So if she is asking...it is time to tell her. I think you have to completely answer her questions and tell her as much as will help the answers make sence...not more yet. Otherwise she will find out from someone else...probably another kid.

C.,

There are 8 year olds starting their period everyday. I grew up in a pristine mountain community in Colorado and even though it was almost 30 years ago I remember talking about periods, etc. in the 3rd grade. Remember here is your chance to open up a line of communication about important issues with your daughter, this line of communication will be very important in future years1

There are a ton of resources out there about how to talk to your kids about human sexuality.

the following are some resources I found recommended by a child psychologist:

"Amazing You" by Gail Saltz
"Those are my Private Parts" by Diane Hanson
"Where did I come from" by Peter Mayle
"How to talk to your child about sex" by Linda and Richard Eyre

You can do it,
R.

Tell her the truth! You can't avoid it, she has probably already heard it from kids and at school or in the neighborhood, and I am sure that version isn't very correct.

A couple of things.... First, many girls get their periods at 9 and 10 today--some even earlier. It is MUCH better for them to know what is going on before they get their periods. And if she is hearing things about these subjects from somewhere, she is surely old enough for you to answer her questions. My mom was raised where you just didn't talk about these things, and I always felt embarrassed or dirty when wanting to ask about these things--even questions about my period. This is a great chance for you to establish a relationship where you answer her questions, and she has a chance to know that she can come to YOU with these issues, rather than having to turn to her friends for answers. My sister tells the story of talking with one of her friends in Junior High, and they were having a conversation about what a vagina was--they didn't know what they were or if they had one. I just think that is really sad. As previous posters have mentioned, there are a ton of books out there that you can share with her and read together. And my thought is that if she is old enough to ask, she is old enough to hear the answer.

On a side note, MANY kids in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade are having sex, or oral sex, or making out. It isn't just in high school any more. These are 11-14 year olds. If this is going to be going on around her, she needs to be educated about your family values and about these topics before she gets there--and if she is coming to you with questions, then please establish an open and honest relationship with her about these matters, so that she can come to you in the future about these issues as well.

Most importantly, it is wonderful that your daughter feels comfortable asking you anything!
So, good job in establishing a close relationship with her. Keep it that way and answer her honestly! If YOU don't answer these questions, someone will and it may not be the answers you would approve of and may be inaccurate answers. Be short, direct and at ease when answering. "A virgin is someone is hasn't had sex" period. "Sex is a very special closeness shared between a mommy and a daddy". "When you are older I'll give you more details". Be at ease and praise her for coming to you with questions. Tell her she can always come to you with anything and you will listen (follow through here).

I promise you that if she is asking you these questions, she already knows a partial answer.
Better to learn at home than elsewhere.

Just like so many others said, you need to answer her questions. She has already heard these terms and she trusts you enough to double check what they mean from you. If you don't give her what she needs, she will get answers from elsewhere and that line of communication between you two will be damaged for future use. Good luck.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! With 12 and 13-year-olds getting pregnant and all the sex and other stuff they see on TV and find out from friends from a very young age, it is never too early...just keep it age appropriate (lots of books out there with age appropriate information if you need an idea where to start...). I'm so glad your daughter is asking. As a children's pastor, I have lots of parents who come to me and tell me that they haven't had "the discussion" with their 12-16 year olds because they don't think they know anything about it yet...yeah right...they are the ones being naive! Then it becomes my job to lead them in right and wrong because they won't go to their parents...instead they come to me!!! So, thank you for talking to your daughter...you will never regret it and starting at a young age establishes a trust between her and yourself which is beautiful!!!! Good luck!

If she's old enough to ask she's old enough to get a straight answer. "A tampon is what women wear to absorb the blood (or discharge) from their monthly period." "A virgin is a person who hasn't tried to make a baby before." I would just keep answering the follow up questions. At some point, she will just move on to a different subject. I think you might want to examine why you feel so uncomfortable with these questions. There are books available that you can give her to read that might help.

Dear C.,
If your 8 year old daughter is asking the question, she is old enough for you to answer it. Maybe not in full details, but answer her question with truth, and only explain what she has asked about. If she is asking the question, she has heard talk about it, and she just MIGHT get it explained by a friend, if you do not, .....who may not tell her the correct information. It sure is better for you to explain, rather then a friend!!
Kid are hearing about, and learning about,things at a MUCH younger age now. My children asked me questions after they had been hearing about things for a while. I never thought they were old enough to hear about the things they ask me. They were still my BABIES!!! LOL LOL They grow up very fast. Good luck.....I will be thinking about you.

The best way to handle this is to simply answer the question the child asks. If she asks more questions, answer them, but don't elaborate on any of them. Too much information at once is just as bad as too little. Recognize that your child has a normal curiosity and has heard about these things. Hedging the issue with her will only give her the idea that these things are bad.

We have to remember that kids grow up faster these days than we did. She is probably hearing this stuff at school or else why would she be interested? My opinion is this..."If I don't tell her the information she is looking for she will get it from someone else." Don't you think Mom would be the best one to get "the truth?" Also, she is coming to YOU! Don't do anything to sabotage that by not giving her the information she is looking for. Let her know she can trust you by getting the information and the truth that she needs.