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Irish Wedding News

08/10/2015

Parents Divided Over When To Talk About Important Issues To Children

A new study has revealed that parents in Britain are divided over when they should discuss important topics – such as death or sex – with their children.

The research, conducted by confused.com, found that while parents will, on average, discuss the subject of death with their children when they are seven years old, many are unsure as to the best age to approach any sensitive subject with their offspring.

For example, 10% admit that they first discussed death with their children when they were aged just two or three, while 21% said they waited until their child was at least 10 years old. On average, parents will wait until their children are at least nine until they broach the subject of relationships, and the age of 10 to discuss sex. As for the topic of Father Christmas, children reach the age of eight before parents choose to have that conversation.

When it comes to approaching the tough topics in life, many parents not only disagree as to when they should talk to their child, but also as to what they should say. Some admitted they are honest when it comes to discussing the subject of death with their children, but others said they tell "little white lies"; i.e. 7% confessed that they had told their child a deceased pet or family member had "moved away", while 6% claimed they were "taking a long holiday". 5% said the pet or relative was having a "long sleep".

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The fibs also extend to the subject of the 'birds and bees', with 19% admitting that they have lied about where babies come from. Elsewhere, 55% or parents have lied in order to keep Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy alive for a little longer. However, this resulted in 17% of 10-11 years olds still believing in Father Christmas.

Despite the findings, 50% of parents believe they should be more honest when it comes to talking to their children about the facts of life, while a further 27% said issues such as death should be discusses as soon as possible. 19% meanwhile argued that children should be protected from the facts of life for as long as possible. Some 36% said children should learn about the subjects in their own time.

Commenting on the findings, Matt Lloyd, head of life insurance at Confused.com, said: "It's interesting to note just how divided parents are when it comes to talking about difficult life issues. Half of parents (50%) believe that we should be more open with our children about topics like death and sex whilst nearly a fifth (19%) believe we should shield our children for as long as possible.

"It's natural that children will be curious when it comes to all manner of topics – and it's important that parents discuss these topics when they feel the time is right."

(JP/CD)

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"A new study has revealed that parents in Britain are divided over when they should discuss important topics – such as death or sex – with their children."