Customer Reviews

Everything You Never Wanted Your Kids to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid They'd Ask): The Secrets to Surviving Your Child's Sexual Development from Birth to the Teens

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am the mother of two boys, ages 11 and 13, and I found this book to be the best ever sex education book. The first and perhaps most impressive aspect of the book is that it not only helps you see your child's sexuality through his/her eyes, it also portrays the parents' point of view in a helpful and sympathetic way.

The second element that makes the book so effective is its down-to-earth humor. The authors review the phases of children's sexual development and parental experiences with many funny real life examples that get you chuckling and relaxing. In fact, my boys heard me laughing as I read one section and came over to ask about it. They read the part I was reading and it lead to a very comfortable discussion.

A third aspect of the book I appreciated is that the authors have really done their research. They are not just giving their opinions, they provide concise research information which adds perspective.

Lastly, the authors are very comprehensive. They include savvy advice on everything from what to do if your child walks in on you, to internet and IM use, adolescent rebellion, how to talk about homosexuality, and what if you don't like your child's boyfrind/girlfriend.

Everything You Never Wanted Your Kids to Know...was written in such a way that it reduced my inhibitions about talking about sex with my boys, and it provided great, simple advice on the nitty gritty of how to do it.

I read the book and wish I had read it sooner and then I gave it to my 15 year old to read as well.

Much better than A chicken's guide to talking turkey with your kids about sex (preachy at best, as in religious zealots).

I think books are a useful tool to open up lines of communication and purchased this author's book, Everything You Never Wanted Your Kids to Know About Sex with a copy of Dr. Ruth's Sex for Dummies for my older teen. I also read and shared, Human Sexuality by Roger R. Hock.

It is my personal feeling that providing your child with information about thier bodies will help them keep themselves healthy. It does not mean we give them our blessings to do whatever they want nor does it mean we have the right to make choices for them. We do as parents have the responsibilities of educating them.

As I have multiple children and liked her reasonable approach I also purchased Dr. Ruth Talks To Kids for my pre-teen. I also recommend the American Medical Association (Boy's/Girls) Guide To Becomming A Teen, and a copy of It's Perfectly Normal.

Copies of It's So Amazing and It's Not The Stork are also worth having kicking around the house but I did find the books to be rather long so don't be surprised if your active younger child does't want to go over them in one sitting.

Sexual development does begin in utero and it is time the average parent understood it better. That "talk" isn't just one talk you have with your child but a series of conversations in the car, at the supper table, when you are getting dressed in the changing room, changing diapers, in front of your best friend, at the doctor's office, and so on. If you are feeling a little shy about it- this book is for you.

What a great read! I almost finished it in one sitting. This book is not only well-written, it's also chock full of great advice. I found it much more accessible than Deborah Roffman's Sex and Sensibility. It was as if the author knew me and wrote the book for me -- I want my children to grow up with a good attitude about sex, but even so, I feel a little squeamish about these topics. As a mom of a pre-teen and a toddler, I'm glad there's a book out there like this that isn't exclusively focused on teens, though they're well-covered here too. This one's a keeper. Now I've got a great new shower gift idea!

This is a superb guidebook for parents. As the father of three children (15, 13 and 8) this is the one book that has information pertinent to each--and, actually, to kids of all ages. It is informative in a witty, anecdotal and non-preachy way. I only wish it had been available years ago when the kids were born-- it might have saved me a lot of angst as they were growing-up.

My kids are 10, 7, and 4. This book covers everything from birth until they're living on their own. It gives you honest information without judgment, and it tells wonderful funny stories to remind you that it's not the end of the world if you botch an answer to one of THOSE questions. It can't be as bad as those poor people quoted in the book! People with very conservative values may not appreciate the candid nature with which this book treats homosexuality and teen sex, but I certainly appreciate being armed with knowledge for next time the kids catch me with a loaded question. Believe it or not, this book is actually fun to read!

This is a guide for parents on dealing with their kids' sexuality, but it is much more than that. It's a primer about human sexuality in general, and hence of interest to parents and non-parents alike. Effortlessly mingling statistical data, anecdotal evidence, illuminating case studies and good, hard common sense, the book is marked by a calm, judicious tone as well as an openness to various cultural backgrounds and points of view. The writing style alone sets the book ahead of the pack, managing as it does to combine humor, erudition and page-turning readability.

But if you begin by admiring this book mostly for the prose, you'll end up cherishing it for its wisdom. It's one to read and re-read and lend out to family and friends - to everyone who has a child or, for that matter, has ever been a child.

This book actually made me laugh out loud which led to my 10 year old son glancing over, reading the title and then telling me "I DON'T want to know what you are laughing about in that book". Which is exactly why I was reading it, he is quite resistant to any talk having to do with sex education.
The authors strike the right tone, plenty of info, very little judgment and a bit of humor. They make you think about your own reactions and give a little insight into how your child is feeling.
Also good practical information on development, emotional issues, STD's and contraception.
Highly recommended. I think I now will get up the guts to convey this info to my kids.

Drs Richardson and Schuster lead any parent through the situations and importance of talking with kids about sex, early and honestly. It's filled with sidebar-type information on specific, new issues like children and IM, how to use the female and male condom, and ways to help your son or daughter tell their boyfriend or girlfriend "no" if they're not ready, as well as funny stories from parents and from kids about how kids are figuring out their sexuality.

Both authors are very compassionate about parents' tricky feelings on discussing sex, especially in addressing parents who may have a religious background that they are trying to rectify with their need to protect and inform their child.

However, two of the most important reasons to put this book on your shelf are the appendices. The first is about various methods of birth control & their pros and cons (and this is the most up-to-date one I've seen in print as of Summer 2004), and the second is on the different STDs and how to spot them and deal with them. These two appendices are a great resource to have in the house for kids and parents alike. Overall, an easy read and a welcome resource for any parent.

What a wonderful book for mother's like me who are freaking out when our 6 year olds start asking about sex. It helps make the topic easy. Nice book.

I'm surprised that this book has not sold more copies at amazon. I can't say enough good about it. It was a great help in easing into sex discussions with my youth group. I am a part time baker and a part time youth leader and have to say, it brings down the guard that parents and kids alike have built. Especially when it comes to sensitive topics like sex, what it is, where it is done and what to say when the icky questions begin. Believe me, it is far better to begin on this topic at the early age of nine, than it is to wait until the age of 14 or 15. If you don't believe me, just wait and see what happens. Just remember, I told you so.

Also suggested for kids/parents age toddler to ten, Mommy CEO. We took this book as a discussion group and gave the kids an opportunity to tell us if the tips in the book were realistic, they voted the book a good read and portrayed kids fairly.