It started with "mating"...

I’ve always been that person—the one kids feel drawn to. Seriously, it doesn’t matter where I am or what vibe I’m sending out. Whether I’m trying to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee or tackling some grown-up tasks, children I’ve never met just come up to me and start chatting like we’re old friends. It’s something I’ve come to expect in my life, and it’s never boring!

So just imagine what it's like if I know the child. One day my oldest child invited a friend over for a playdate. They were 5 years old. We live on a homestead, so our kids have plenty of freedom to roam and explore. I love having their friends over because it gives me a chance to catch up on gardening and animal chores while keeping an eye on them. But this particular morning, our little guest had different plans. She wanted to help with the chores, and I couldn’t say no!

As I milked the goat, fed the chickens, and collected eggs, she followed me everywhere, chatting nonstop. When we got to the barn, I let the ducks out, and, as always, they dashed straight to their pool and started mating. It’s a sight that usually makes my kids giggle as we joke about how much the ducks love each other. But today, with our guest in tow, I hesitated. I wasn’t sure how her parents felt about that kind of talk.

Sure enough, my daughter, in her usual playful spirit, blurted out, “They’re mating!” Our friend’s eyes widened, and she asked, “What’s mating?” Now, here’s the thing about me: I have this strong compulsion to always tell the truth. So, I took a deep breath and explained, “Mating is how the male duck, or drake, fertilizes the female duck’s eggs before she will lay them.”

Her expression was priceless—she just stared at me in wonder. Not wanting to leave her hanging, I quickly said, “Want to see where she lays her eggs?” I led her to the duck nest and even let her pick up the eggs. I explained that if the duck felt “broody,” she’d sit on the fertilized eggs for about 28 days until they hatch into adorable ducklings.

It was no surprise, our little visitor was fascinated. She took in the information like a sponge and asked if all animals mate to make babies. I explained that yes, but the methods vary—some animals don’t even lay eggs! Satisfied with the answers, she soon returned to playing on the swings with my daughters, and the moment felt almost surreal.

After the dust settled, I realized what I had just done: I had explained to someone else’s child where baby ducks come from! I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous about how her parents might react, so I called her mom to confess. To my relief, she sighed and said, “Oh, thank god!”

It turned out that her daughter had been asking about where babies come from, and this was the perfect opportunity for her mom to continue the conversation that she had been avoiding She felt ready to talk with her daughter now that they had a jumping-off point. The following weeks led to some open, comfortable discussions between them that really met the child’s needs.

This experience got me thinking about how normal and natural these topics really are. Nature sets us up beautifully for these conversations, providing real-life examples that are easy for kids to grasp. It struck me how relieved the mom was—and how often I’ve heard my peers express their discomfort around these conversations. Many want to talk about these subjects at home but feel unsure of how to start.

That’s when I realized I could help. Almost five years later, I’ve created the Clarify Lesson Series—a resource for parents who want to have meaningful, honest conversations with their children about growing up, puberty, and sex. My goal is to provide you with the tools to discuss these topics in a way that feels authentic to you and your family.

I may not be able to invite your child over to watch my ducks mate, but I can certainly help you navigate these essential conversations with ease. Because the truth is, sexuality is all around us. The more children understand, the better equipped they are to navigate the world positively.

This work means everything to me, and I hope it resonates with you too. Let’s make these conversations accessible, natural, and filled with understanding!