For instance, things like

- using the right names for genitals, rather than calling them "down there" or "daddy's thing",

- making sure not to instill shame, such as, if a child likes to take off clothes in public, or masturbate in shcool, letting them know those aren't good PLACES for those things, not that there is anything wrong with the acts themselves,

- answering questions sincerely when they're asked. For instance, if a child asks why you keep your bedroom door closed, or why you have breasts and they don't, instead of being dismissive and saying "it's a grownup thing." really try and explain why on their level. In other words, adults sometimes keep the door closed because they want privacy. You have breasts because when you start to grow up, all women develop them, etc.

- when they do ask questions, be calm, available and don't panic. if you don't know the answers, tell them you'll all go take a trip to the library.

All in all, you come to it mindfully, and aware that it needs to be discussed at their level and pace, which it sounds like you're already doing, hon.

Don't read your children a book about sex and never bring it up again.

That's what my Mom did. I don't really feel comfortable talking to her about my period, let alone sex.

Be open, as Miz S said.

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"No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap."
--Carrie Snow

"A mistake is simply another way of doing things."
--Katharine Graham

My mom and i have always been open about the sex and body stuff. She told me the first time i ever asked her about something was when she was in the washroom and i freaked out cuz she was bleeding ... i was only 5! So she just told me that she was ok and when i was older i would too. And she was right, i did hehe

I think it depends on the kid really. My mom and i had the whole sex talk when i was nine. My sister, on the other hand, pretty much had to be sat on so mom could tell her the things she needed to know (she pretty much had her period before she knew what it was ... she didn't care too much i guess) Even now, my sis is 14 and she still won't talk about sex w/ me. It's still icky to her. Maybe it's about maturity levels ... ??

My advice (not that i'm a parent or anything) is to just answer the questions as they come. And they WILL come ... Are you at the "Why mom ... why, why, WHY??" stage yet? teehee