Sex Ed in school

I was just reading a message board I visit frequently called 'hot topics' on Babyzone. The discussion was about Sex Ed in school. The banter, as usual, goes back and forth between those who think abstinence only is the way to teach children and that kids need to have all available information on sex and how to make good choices (you know, Birth control, condoms, STDs, watching women writhe in pain through labor).

One woman was recounting a story that just made me crack up. She said that her high school sex ed teacher told their class that there was a 'secret' way to avoid pregnancy and it only cost a penny. The girls in the class were really curious at this and asked the teacher what she was talking about and she said "Take a penny, put it between your knees, and keep it there!"... bwahaha... that cracked me up.

All I know is what was done with me and how I interpreted the information given to me. My mom always answered any and all questions I had about sex simply and truthfully, I had sex education, and I personally valued my virginity. I was a virgin until I got married. The way things were handled with me worked out perfectly. I don't anticipate an abstinence only mantra in our home either. I will tell my children my beliefs about marriage and sex and I will always answer their questions honestly (that is why my 3 yr old knows that girls pee out of a urethra... though when he says it, it sounds like "Aretha"). I hope to have an open dialogue with my children where they can ask me anything and know without a doubt that I will be honest with them. I will tell them about birth control and std prevention and I will tell them any and all details about childbirth they want to know. I also plan to teach them the emotional and social ramifications of having sex before you are ready (which means married to me). Ultimately it is up to my children to determine their own morals. I pray for them all the time. That they love God and value the things He values. I also pray that their father and I set great examples for them as parents (which on this particular issue, we have). And, if they are REALLY lucky, I might tell their girlfriends to hold a penny between their legs :)

I also wanted to add... I don't care if sex ed is in school or not. We need to take back moral education from schools and begin to teach our children ourselves. Letting the school teach everything hasn't turned out too well for my generation in my honest opinion...

So, if you want to share, how do you plan to teach your children?