Look around you. Sexual influences are everywhere: TV, billboards, magazines. Your child's friends must be talking about it too. Would you rather have your child learn about sex from those influences or from you?

The first question about where babies come from can turn up in the preschool years. Don't be alarmed! This isn't even about intimacy yet. Your child's curiosity about this is as natural as his curiosity about where the sun goes at night. At this age, you can satisfy the question with a simple explanation. Because daddies and mommies have so much love for each other, they want to share their love with a baby of their own. Then be creative about the biological part. Remember, your child is young and all he needs is a story. However simple, keep it as accurate as possible though, because you'll build on this story as your child gets older. The concept of a seed is a good analogy for kids of this age to understand.

In a couple of years, the question may come up again. Only you as the parent can decide if your child is emotionally ready for more proper terms. If he is, then build on your earlier story and incorporate the concept of sperm from daddy meeting up with the egg in mommy (the "seed" from before) to help it grow into a baby. That straight-forward answer is enough for now. Then, add the story of how the baby grows for nine months in the mommy's tummy. Your child's fascination with the different growth stages of the baby in-utero should keep him sated for now.

Soon, your child will be in that interesting stage called the preteen years. From the ages of nine through 12, you'll notice that your child has some added dimensions to his reasoning and logic skills. With his burgeoning independence, he'll also be more exposed to the world around him. Whether he tells you or not, you can be sure that he's absorbing many of the influences around him. Be it in school, through the media or because of technology, he's learning much more than just what you teach him at home.

This time it may be your turn to initiate the subject of sex. Time may come when he'll ask you questions again, but your instinct will tell you if you need to wait for that time or not. Your child is entering puberty. If you have a daughter, she could get her first period anytime. You can assume that your child is hearing about sex elsewhere, so take the initiative to provide correct information. Still, despite the age, check his moral readiness and emotionally maturity.

Again it is your discretion as parent as to what to say exactly, and how much to explain. This may be a more serious talk than those in the past.I will not attempt to dictate a spiel, because your family history, your family values and your child's environment all factor into the content of your talk. In any case, set an open atmosphere where he'll feel safe to ask you questions. It's important to find out what he knows and how much he knows. You need not tell him more that he is asking. More importantly, straighten out any wrong assumptions he may have.

In the end, there will not be just one 'sex talk'. As your preteen gets older, new questions will crop up. With each new dialog, be sure to underline the values you'd like your child to uphold.

If you prepare well and keep all this in mind, the dreaded 'sex talk' won't be as dreaded anymore. Instead it will be a golden opportunity to build a stronger and healthier relationship with your child.