when should a parent talk to there kids about the birds and the bees

Instead of having one big talk, you should be constantly talking with them throughout their teenage years. Keep the discussion age appropriate and bring up new things to talk about once you think they're ready. The earlier you start, the better. The younger they are, the more comfortable they will be to talk to you about things. And when you build that comfort level early, then it makes it much easier for them to come to you when they have questions when they're older. 12 and 14 may seem very young, but when I was 12 I knew children my age that were sexually active.... and EVERYONE at school was talking about it. So if your children aren't getting information from you, then they're getting it from their peers.

The truth is that both your kids will probably already know all about that by age 12 and 14. I knew what it was when I was 10. And today, with the internet and television, it is impossible to keep them from finding out. Tell them when they are about 10.

Kids get their information from wherever they can find them. It is better to talk to kids when they trust you to be understanding and not be like a parent. Cheers!!

With the internet around, they won't stay innocent for long. Even if you know they won't look stuff up on the internet, other kids will --- you can't stop it. When your kids are socializing with those kids, they'll pick it up. I learned that way. My parents never talked to me about it and I picked it up naturally. They will teach them in school. So don't worry about it. They will learn eventually --- eiher from you, or the world around them

I think you should always beopen from the begining....when they are very young , if they asks questions,,dont lie and dont make up a cutesy story to cover the fact that you think they arent ready. My niece asked my sister when she was 6 yrs old where babies come from and she told her the truth...in a very delicate way...that a mommy and a daddy who love eachother and agree to have a baby.....and she went from there with the truth. If your kids are 12 and 14..NOW is a great time.

Not too early, not too late. You have to judge it for yourself. You can't wrap them in cotton silk forever but neither do you want them to get BAD or WRONG information about the birds 'n' bees. Girls mature earlier than boys, bear that in mind. Make sure they don't feel ashamed of feelings they may encounter as they change - it's part of growing up. Don't worry too much, many of us have gone through the same scenario, it's not the end of the world. :-P Good Luck.