DEAR ABBY: I am the mother of a 9-year-old boy. Are there any specific signs I should look for regarding when he is ready to be told the facts of life? His friends at school told him that kissing is "having sex." I am afraid our son will get the wrong idea, because he sees his father and me kissing several times every day. -- MILWAUKEE MOM
DEAR MOM: The time to talk to your son is now, before he absorbs any more misinformation from his friends. Children are maturing earlier than ever before. Add to that the messages they get -- both spoken and unspoken -- from living in our society, and regrettably, the fantasy of an "innocent childhood" is laughable. Parents should be mindful of this, and start the discussion when the opportunity arises.