There comes a time in every mother's life when her child asks that dreaded question: "Mommy, where do babies come from?" Don't panic! Almost everybody feels totally unprepared to answer this query. How young is too young? Should you lie? Or is it best to just tell them the truth?

If your child is under 10, the question may be a literal one - as in, where do babies literally come from? In this case, there's no need to get into the mechanics. An answer like, "A baby grows inside mommy's tummy until it's ready to be born" may be enough to satisfy a little one's curiosity. You can brush off follow-up questions - like "How does the baby get inside your tummy?" - by promising to discuss them later, when the child is older.

For older children, it's best to be honest about sex. Pre-teens and adolescents spend a lot of time worrying about whether or not they're normal, and what it means that their bodies and desires are changing. While it can be scary, don't let fear get in the way of talking to your kids about sex, development and relationships. It is important that they understand the responsibilities that come with sex, because despite your best efforts, most studies indicate that they'll be having it by the time they're in their late teens.