Beyond the Birds and the Bees: Raising Sexually Whole and Holy Kids

This book is just wonderful! I am a Catholic mom of 3 small children and I'm just starting to get "those" kinds of questions from my oldest child. I had no idea how to explain all this stuff, and it was very important that my explanations also prepare my children to grow into very moral, healthy, and happy Catholic adults. I bought this book looking for help with that, and boy did I find it! I am SO glad I bought this book and I am very grateful to the author! Popcak gives an explanation of the meaning of sexuality and marriage that will blow you away! I was literally in tears reading a couple of passages in the beginning of the book on what "healthy Catholic sexuality" really is - I knew this stuff, but he said it in a way that was so beautiful and at the same time so simple to understand. He is really gifted. I no longer feel afraid of those "well, how does the baby get IN the mommy's tummy if the mommy doesn't have a husband?" kind of questions - I feel this book has given me all the info I need to answer these questions in a way that is sensitive, helpful to my child, and pleasing to God. I am so grateful to Gregory Popcak! If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. :)

In one review, Rich, says statements like 'extreme lengths like co-sleeping and baby slinging. I have 4 sons and we co slepts and slung all of them. I'm proud to say they are some of the most well adjusted people you'd ever met. Rich also makes the assumption not sighting any research, that attachment parenting will lead to moral infantalism and prevent children from making independent decisions. I am beginning to wonder if Rich read the book. If you had, you'd realize the reason they re-released the book is because a large, 10 year, 500 person study was done and found exactly the opposite. In fact, this study actually shows that many of the technicques used in AP actually work and make children more independent and less reliant on others. What I like most about the book (the title is misleading) is two things. 1 - the entire first section is a good journey through the importance of our bodies and how they are holy and how we should treat them. Good Christians know that we are embodies spirits, unlike angels, we are pure spirit. God gave us a body for a reason, so we could use it properly to glorify God and sanctify ourselves. Unfortunately, because of the fall, the body and its lower desires have overurn our intellect and we have to go on a journey through life to sanctify ourselves. It's a great study of this journey and was helpful for me as an adult. The second point of the book that I see is that 'the talk' is not 'a talk' but a series of life long talks that start at a young age. when you get to 'the talk' it actually makes sense and is not an uncomfortable talk at all. If you have a newborn, get this book. It will help on many levels lay the groundwork for when you actually tell them 'how it happens.' I very much raise my kids in a fashion of unfolding, rather than dropping huge bombs on them. Just taking the example or how God has revealed Himself over the course of history. JMJ

As a major fan of Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak's work, their writing, and their show, I have learned so much over the years from their faith-filled, and yet "real world" vantage point and advice. Theirs is a brand of consultation that takes into account not only the pressures families face today (they've successfully raised their own!), but also comes with a truly informed perspective on our Catholic faith and the Theology of the Body. With their book Beyond the Birds and the Bees: Raising Sexually Whole and Holy Kids, the Popcaks have given our families a true gift in the form of counsel and wisdom on how to faithfully address some of the most important issues of our time. Easy to read and approachable, and yet filled with deeply important wisdom, this new version of a wonderful classic is one of my "go to" resources in the raising of my two sons.

I think this book fills a void as it attempts to make Theology of the Body accessible to parents and (through them) to their kids. This said, it was a bit heavy on the attachment parenting theory & a tad lite on actionable pointers for practically guiding the nitty-gritty details of helping kids understand their sexuality as such. I recommend it but fel it needs to be taken with a grain of salt if you are not heavily invested as an “Attachment Parenting” type of parent already.

We are Catholic parents of 6 young kids and as our oldest became more aware, we realized we did not have the proper words to speak to them when "tough" questions come up. After coming across and reading this book, we have much more "ammo" at our availabity to answer those! The Popkaks wrote a wonderful book here which is easy to consume and re-read as needed. They provide the age-appropriate answers we need for every stage we have encountered with our children. So thankful for having found this book! Recommend it for all parents!

I am a mother and I ordered this book because we had heard such great reviews. It turned out to be even better than I had hoped! It is an absolute must-have for all parents! Gregory Popcak explains sexuality in light of the teachings of the Catholic Church and emphasizes that sexuality encompasses our whole being. He explains that healthy sexuality is obtainable and can be taught to our children. Now I am not afraid of all the questions that will arise, but am actually looking forward to teaching my children about their God given sexuality!

This book is wonderful; well-organized and well written. It provided so much insight and depth to family connections. Would highly recommend.

We started reading this book as just another one but realised it needs preparation and it needs grace. So now we are preparing through Exodus 90 and Magnify 90. I am sure it will be a blessing for all parents and humanity. #humanity #parenting #sexuality

Mon épouse l'a énormément aimé

Love this book!

Excellent