Your 5-year-old Wants to Know Where Babies Come From

Is your answer to your 5-year old’s question about where babies come from a cute expression like “it’s something magical” or is it an accurate description of sexual intercourse?

I am always fascinated by the different ways parents respond to this question from a young child. After they get over the shock that they are being asked this question, they can have very different reactions. Many parents look for an easy way out and opt for an answer that actually does not answer the question at all. Other parents want to make sure they don’t repeat their parent’s lack of response to their questions and see this an opening to thoroughly inform their child.

Keep It Simple

My suggestion is to keep the conversation at the child’s level. It is unlikely that they will understand sexual concepts because their brains are under-developed in the sexual awareness areas. They are going to experience an explosive brain development transition during puberty and so that is when you want to take your conversations with your children about sexual topics to a higher level.

When they are only 5 years old, they don’t realize how complicated the answer to such a simple question might be. Here is an accurate response for you to consider that will not scare them or you!

“Mom gives an egg, dad gives a sperm and together they make a baby.”

Your child might want to explore eggs and sperm after you give them this information, but remember, they are not asking about a sexual relationship. They are likely just asking about eggs and sperm.

Setting Them Up for Knowledge in the Future

You are already moving in the right direction on this topic by providing a simple, age-appropriate answer to questions like this. If your child observes that you are comfortable talking about this topic, they will feel comfortable asking more questions in the future.

Accurate information in small doses over the years is a great way to keep the conversation going and achieve your goal of making sure your child has learned about this important topic from you. Your opinion will always matter the most to them.