“Mom, I asked Dad how babies are made, but he said you’d get mad if he told me,” my nine-year-old casually stated the other evening.
Honestly, I was at a loss for how to respond. (For the record, I would have gladly taken one for the team to avoid this conversation.)
“Well, first off, I wouldn’t have been mad at him,” I began, trying to keep my cool.
I had been anticipating this talk for a while (is it bad to admit that?), but I was determined to face it head-on. After all, my kids often told me I was the “coolest mom” and that they could discuss anything with me. I was pretty sure I could say words like ‘penis’ and ‘vagina’ without bursting into laughter.
Starting the Conversation
“What do you already know about how babies are made?” I asked, hoping I wouldn’t have to undo too much misinformation from the playground.
“I know there’s a mommy seed and a daddy seed, but I don’t know how they actually make a baby,” she replied, looking a bit forlorn.
I embraced her. “Okay, it goes like this: The mommy seed is inside her tummy, and the daddy seed is inside… well, him. When they want to have a baby, the daddy plants his seed in the mommy, and that’s how they come together to create a baby.”
Nailed it! Kind of. She looked a bit puzzled. “But how does the daddy seed get to the mommy seed?”
“Oh, that part.” Just say it. “The penis.”
Her expression turned to horror.
“What about the penis?”
“His seed comes out of his penis.”
“And goes where?”
Remember, you survived this chat once. She can handle it. Just say it and get it over with. “The daddy puts his penis inside the mommy’s vagina, and that’s how the seeds unite.”
She looked absolutely horrified, cringing and holding her stomach.
“But… why?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
“That’s just how it works,” I explained. “It’s a bit strange when you think about it, right?”
She nodded, her head bobbing like a toy.
“How long does the penis have to stay in there?”
“Not too long,” I reassured her, noticing her worried expression. “And you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”
She didn’t ask if it hurt. Nor did she seem to connect that her dad and I had obviously done this at least a couple of times. Interestingly, she didn’t inquire about what would happen if the penis accidentally entered the vagina without a baby-making intent.
Overall, I’d say that was a successful conversation. Score one for mom!
Further Reading
For more insights on home insemination, check out this post on our blog about Home Insemination Kits. If you’re seeking more information on artificial insemination, Make a Mom is an authority on the subject. Additionally, Mount Sinai provides excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination.
Conclusion
In summary, navigating the topic of how babies are made can be daunting, but with a little honesty and clarity, it can lead to meaningful conversations with our children.