Several months ago, I was in the bathroom when my 10-year-old daughter Claire asked me out of the blue: “How does the sperm get to the egg, Mummy?”
Several months ago, I was in the bathroom when my 10-year-old daughter Claire asked me out of the blue: “How does the sperm get to the egg, Mummy?”
The question didn’t come as a surprise, but it was one I was unprepared to answer at that moment. Months before, my evidently smarter (and prescient) husband had warned me that this moment would come. They were learning about reproduction, he had said.
“Don’t worry, I know what to do,” I’d brushed him off at that time. What could be so difficult? At Simply Her, sex is part of everyday convos, where we discuss the stories to bring to readers in every issue. I have plenty of practice, I figured.
The only hitch in my wonderfully perfect plan? Claire raised the topic first, robbing me of my plan to take my dear daughter out for ice cream and then slowly launch into The Talk.
So, cornered in the bathroom that day, I had to quickly come up with an answer. To say I fumbled through it is an understatement. I probably said too little of what needed to be said, and too much of what could wait until another time. Later that night, I confessed to my husband what had happened. “I don’t think I handled it very well!” I wailed.
To my daughter’s credit, she took everything in her stride and matter-of-factly at that. And I’m glad she felt secure enough to broach the topic with me. I know, too, that this is only the first of many such talks with Claire, and later, the rest of my kids. In fact, the conversation continued a few weeks ago, with her daddy.
I’ve learnt my lesson, so I won’t be caught off guard again. Next time, I’ll simply fish out this issue of Simply Her, which has all the tips a parent needs when talking about sex with their kids, whatever their ages (pg 52).
Sex aside, the team talked non-stop about Simply Her’s 12th anniversary this month. We’re celebrating by bringing you the top 11 cakes of the year (pg 90) – and all worth the calories.
We also have something special for you in our digital edition. We asked readers which stories from our 12 years they’d most like to read again, and the result is The Golden Dozen, a special section containing the best 12 reads from the magazine. Enjoy!
PENELOPE CHAN, EDITOR PS.
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Must Try!
Win one of the $36,000 worth of prizes in our 12th anniversary giveaway special (pg 60). Up for grabs: everything from staycations to spa treats, and skincare sets.
Must Buy!
Just for you, Team Simply Her created this exclusive Birthday Maki with sushi roll specialist Maki-San (pg 70). It’s absolutely yummy, but don’t take my word for it. Try it for yourself from now until Nov 30, 2016.
What I’m buying this month
