Where do babies come from?

How do you think an adult should answer this question when a young child asks?
Scientific explanation? Birds and bees? The stork?

well when I was little I got told the birds and bees way... but quite honestly if (and when I have them...) my kids ever asked that I'd tell them outright. they asked. so if they really want to know. but I wouldnt use specific terms til they are at least a little bit older. they need to learn this stuff from their parents and not someone else. tell them outright. or if your not comfortable doing that then do it how you feel is best for them, or you... =]

Change the subject - let them stay innocent as long as they can !!

Well, when I was young, my parents gave me a book about it so that they didn't lie to me. I didn't even REALLY understand it, so I wouldn't worry about them thinking its gross or inappropriate. Of course now, when I look at that book, I laugh and think it is really weird, but better to know the truth! Here is a link of where you can get the book that I have on Amazon, but I'm sure if you search there are plenty of other books out there!

http://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-Stork-Families-Friends/dp/0763600474/ref=pd_sim_b_title_10

tell them they come from purple zebras that carry them here from china, and that there might be a possibility that they may have lead inside of them

tell them the scientific way and use proper terminology the child is going to hear it at school eventually. Its better to hear it from you that way any questions that may later come they feel comfortable enough to come to you.

tell them you'll find out soon.

I just be honest and direct, and only give them what they need to know.
You can say the sperm fertilizes the egg, and the baby is formed from there.
Or something to that effect.

I wouldn't be to technical, they might be even more confused. I would just tell them when two people love each other they decide to have a baby, and god puts it in the moms tummy. If the child is older then give them the real deal, but under the age of ten I would go with the simple route, don't take their innocence from them.

Why would explaining that to them be taking their innocence? How isn't sex innocent?

I would recomend getting a book maybe from your local library. I'm a nanny and many children have asked me being to scared are nervous to ask their parents. You should lie to them but explain what really happens. If you really dont know how to say get THEM the book and read it with them!

Tell the truth but appropriate for their age.
When a Mommy and Daddy love each other and decide to have a baby, they get together and make one... Keep talking after the 'make one' part or the next question will be 'how?'. Eventually that will come. Be prepared in advance.

my parents told me the straight up truth...honestly though there is no sence in beating around the bush...the kid is going to find out eventually.

When they ask, answer them honestly but with not too much information for their age. My sons asked after watching some nature programmes on the TV - that was an easy way to introduce the subject because they were talking about animals. I made sure they realised that humans were basically the same and left it at that. Better for them to know before it gets embarassing, as others have already said!

sex and no condoms and women not on the pill
thats reality

Age appropriate truth is okay.
5 years old for example.
Mommy and Daddy fell in love and we decided to have you.

I think the animal example is wonderful for kids 6 on up. I find it a bit embarrassing to talk about so I just don't say explicit stuff.

Yeah, I would tell them without saying too much-that will just lead to questions about big words and possible issues. Just the whole Mommy and Daddy love each other and you came out of Mommy's tummy, etc.

I would go with the birds and the bee's, then when they get about 13 or so tell them the scientific explamation...
then hopefully that would work at 13... b/c I knew everything about everything when I was in 4th grade, and it sucked.