March may be cold, but it's hot and heavy here at OnMilwaukee.com as we celebrate our first-ever Sex Week. We're taking a mature look at local video and sex toy shops, area strip clubs, sexy Milwaukee events -- and even some connections between Brew City and Playboy magazine. It's serious, responsible, adult-themed content -- but don't worry, parents, we'll keep it PG-13 in case junior stumbles upon these stories as OnMilwaukee.com turns a pale shade of blue for seven days.

Because it's "Sex Week" on OnMilwaukee.com, we polled the Parent Posse this month about talking to kids about sex. When do you tell kids about the birds and the bees? How do you tell them?

Talking about sex is something all parents have to deal with, and for some, it's not an experience they look forward to. Here's what the posse had to say about telling kids the facts of life.

I hope that my husband and I will create an environment where my children will feel comfortable enough to bring up the subject when they become curious. If they get to the age when sex education begins in school and still haven't brought it up, then I will begin the dialogue. I don't anticipate using a book or any other aides. I will ask them what they know and clarify any misunderstandings.
Robin Mindt
West Allis

I guess what we've always done in our house is call body parts by their appropriate terms since day one with the kids. We are always open to discussion and questions, working in some things in normal conversations as they come up at a level they can understand if questions arise. I do think we'll have a specific "talk." I'm envisioning that my husband would be the key educator for our son, and I would be for my daughter. We'll give it to them straight sometime between fourth and sixth grade.

We may use a book -- I have an old anatomy text that may help. Kids are going through puberty earlier now, and are more grown up at an earlier age than when I was growing up.

I'd rather have an open dialogue while I still have my kids' ears, than waiting for them to find out on their own and hearing misinformation from uninformed peers or engaging in activities that I don't condone. By the same token, I don't want my kid to be the "tale teller" either, so summer is likely a good time to have a discussion.
Carol Voss
Bay View

I am really nervous about talking to my kids about sex. My parents never talked to me about sex. I want to do a better job than that, but I am not much of a communicator when it comes to topics like this. I will probably buy a book and read it to my daughters when they start asking questions. Times like this I wish I had boys and my husband could have "the talk."
Gail Weber
West Milwaukee

Kids these days think they know about sex at such a young age in grade school already. I think between fifth and sixth grade is appropriate. Puberty hits, their bodies start to change, questions will be out there.

I don't think I will use a book. They can get that education from health class. I want to establish an open policy with my kids. I want them to be able to come to me with anything: good, bad and ugly.
Mary Jo Preston
Menomonee Falls