The Puberty Talk

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Hi all!

I'm a first year certified school nurse and I'll be giving the puberty talk today to the fifth grade girls (I have a male teacher that agreed to cover the boys).

I have a video that covers a majority of the discussion for me, but wanted to see if any of you had any words of advice? Are any of you in charge of the puberty talk? What kinds of questions were you asked that I should prepare myself for?

Thank you!

Specializes in as above.

surprising what kids know these days..Problem is at that age, most of info is from TV if any. Mom and DAd are usually very uptight and Victorian about teaching kids about SEX.

Start off by teaching the anatomy, body parts.

Better yet, yet the 5 graders tell YOU what they know.

Let the kids lead. Let them tell YOU what THEY know. Then you jump in occasionally. Kids love to tell an adult what they think they know.

Use slang, then tell them the proper

As the school admin their ideas on how detail to get. You could be surprised how uptight the school system is.

I taught my daughters about sex, but they took the lead. Being a dad, I approached it from a boys point of voice.

Dont instill your points of view. Your there to teach only. Take the lead from the kids.

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surprising what kids know these days..Problem is at that age, most of info is from TV if any. Mom and DAd are usually very uptight and Victorian about teaching kids about SEX.

Start off by teaching the anatomy, body parts.

Better yet, yet the 5 graders tell YOU what they know.

Let the kids lead. Let them tell YOU what THEY know. Then you jump in occasionally. Kids love to tell an adult what they think they know.

Use slang, then tell them the proper

As the school admin their ideas on how detail to get. You could be surprised how uptight the school system is.

I taught my daughters about sex, but they took the lead. Being a dad, I approached it from a boys point of voice.

Dont instill your points of view. Your there to teach only. Take the lead from the kids.

Agree.

The most difficult question my son asked was "what does it FEEL like?"

I said it felt good, but I'm a woman and he's going to grow up to be a man... And he should ask his DAD questions like that. :woot:

And I don't think talking about my points of view or values with my son has any bearing on anyone but he and I.

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Menstrual huts were also big amongst the Native American tribes. During the heaviest four days of their period, wives would leave their homes and go to this separate menstrual lodge to commune with other women. Since women tend to mense together, these lodges were often quite full and the women inside we encouraged to engage in some serious girl time” by discussing female issues and indulging in creative pursuits like storytelling and arts and crafts.

I didn't write it...just something to think about. *crawls under desk for protection from flying objects*

You can also go to the Bible:

When a woman has a flow of blood from her body, she shall be in a state of menstrual uncleanness for seven days. Anyone who touches her shall be unclean until evening. (—Leviticus 15:19)

When any man has a genital discharge, he is thereby unclean. Such is his uncleanness from this discharge, whether his body* drains freely with the discharge or is blocked up from the discharge. His uncleanness is on him all the days that his body discharges or is blocked up from his discharge; this is his uncleanness. (—Leviticus 15:2-3)

Finally:

When a man has an emission of semen, he shall bathe his whole body in water and be unclean until evening. (—Leviticus 15:16)

—I don't think I have had clean day in the last 16 years...

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Levi was kind of a spoilsport.

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As a nurse and parent (now grandparent) who raised three boys, I think that's a cop out. A short, correct answer to a question about anything is necessary when it comes to the "talk". Many parents do a terrible job of providing correct information. We nurses have to be sure we're not projecting that there's anything dirty or wrong about sexuality or pubescent changes. That's the only way they'll feel comfortable seeking help with problems related to sex and reproduction. We need to encourage kids who can't talk to their parents to talk to us, before they get in over their heads. Just saying ask your parents may get you off the hook momentarily, but a straightforward short response, followed by we can talk about that some time if you are still confused is better. I'm not a school nurse but I work with pregnant adolescents, so I know a little about the subject.

I feel (and you are free to disagree) that giving students the chance to talk at home regarding sensitive topics is best IN THIS District. Maybe not in all communities. This area is a very conservative (some may say backward) in thinking, I don't mean that in a judgmental way at all, it is what it is. I just believe the kids need to try to talk to their parents first and I will answer questions if they are still unsure. I have PK-5 kids at my school. I also try to respect the different family values of my students and their families. Our family is very open and there were no off limits topics for my kids growing up, it's not that way for all families.

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If parents can talk to kids about it without busting a gasket I think they should. That being said, I'm all for Sex Ed. in schools, too.

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New School Nurse. The index cards are really great to use. Making sure that whom ever is teaching or presenting that you both are saying the same thing basically. The state that you may be in, the school board sometimes have a say in what you can say. Yes there are still places like that. With the index cards, everyone gets one and everyone must turn one back in folded. This allows sometimes for no raised "eyebrows".

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If parents can talk to kids about it without busting a gasket I think they should. That being said, I'm all for Sex Ed. in schools, too.

That's why I try to give the parents a chance to answer the questions. Of course we have around a 1/4 of students that opt out of sex ed every year.

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That's why I try to give the parents a chance to answer the questions. Of course we have around a 1/4 of students that opt out of sex ed every year.

That's too bad. :(

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That's too bad. :(

It's sad, usually the ones that need sound, correct information the most are the ones that don't get it. This year was the best yet as far as I'm concerned. Fewest opt outs I have had so far! When I sent the letters home that this was coming up, I had several parents come in to review the approved course outline.

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Specializes in ICU.
NO, no no!! that's just a waste of good vodka!

I would assume "good" vodka isn't being used. I'm envisioning "still taste the charcoal, smells like rubbing alcohol, $7 a handle, frat party" vodka. Lol.

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Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

Anyone else reminded of the Fuzzy and Fluffy Bunny Sex-Ed video? Or am I the only one who is that much of a die-hard Simpsons fan?

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