At what age do you talk to kids about sex?

I plan on having "the talk" when they reach 8 years old. I have heard so many stories about 9 year olds having sex and even having oral sex because "it isn't sex" I want my girls to be educated about sex from me not thier friends.

My daughter is 8. I'm considering having the talk, my husband thinks it is way too early. I wish I knew how to start the talk. Any ideas...

My mom had the talk with me around seven or eight, when I started puberty. I didn't fully understand until I was a little bit older, but at least I knew the truth so I could dispel any rumors that my friends or classmates heard =]

If your a book family, thier are plenty out there. There are also websites out there to help you start a dialoge. I would start with puberty and go over everything and not leave out STD's. Too many people are souly worried about thier kids having kids they forget about the other factors, like AIDS. Goodluck, I have a few more years to prepare my talk..hopefully. :)

Thanks for your help lzzy!!!

Your very welcome!

I would start talking about it in one way or another at a very early age. I've always been open with my DD about periods and how a female body changes bc I don't want her to be shocked when it happens to her (11 so already starting). I also talked to her about respecting her body and not having babies until she is much older (I was 17 when I got pregnant with her). My son (5) is learning to keep his bits private and what is and isn't acceptable. He was nursed and I swear it gave him a boob fixation - he needs to learn he can't touch! He also knows where he lived before he was born, where he came out, and that I needed his daddy to help put him in my belly. No point starting with that stork crap. Better to hold back a little than to lie flat out imo.

I was forced to have the talk with my almost 8 year old daughter (she'll be 8 in January) as recently as 2 weeks ago. Its very uncomfortable having that talk with your kids, knowing that they will ask questions such as what does that mean? and why? and whats that? Trust me, its still very hard to explain. When I say I was forced to have that talk, something happened with her and I had to explain everything. It was uncomfortable for me. So I would say whenever you think YOU are ready to have that talk with them about it. When you feel comfortable.

Before you feel comfortable. It's important, and some people are never going to be comfortable.
It helps if you are Christian to explain that God wants you to have sex only when you are married. We've been discussing this since my DD was about 5, but in small steps.
She asked what is sex, and I told her - remember how we tell you not to let anyone touch your privates? Well, that's what sex is, when people touch privates. It's meant for people when they are adults and in love, and before that, it can be harmful to you.
Now we've discussed STDs, everything. She's 11 now.

My son's sex education started the day he was born. For me it isn't a matter of just having one big conversation about the birds and the bees. It is a life long education that is done daily and naturally. I started by identifying and correctly naming all his body parts. I call his penis a penis and so does he. This is a matter of safety so that if anything ever did happen to him that was inappropriate he would have the correct language and terminology. I also respect his boundaries that when he doesn't feel like giving someone a kiss or a hug (as in give grandma a kiss good-bye) then I don't force him to. This teaches him that no means no and that you should always respect someone elses' limits and comfort levels.