I totally like how the mother handled the situation. If, at first, she had told the child boldly that he is not ready for sex, I am sure he would have gone out and had sex without using a condom. So, since he failed the condom test, then he is not ready for sex.

The question I still have is this: Why didn't the condom fit? Is it that he didn't have an erection?

If that was the case, then I think the mother should talk to him more about sex, because he is concerned and, being curious, I am sure he will still want to try it on his own.

I am a Christian and I believe in abstinence. But, if I were a parent and my child or niece or nephew approached me with the subject, I would teach them God's way and the other way. Some church persons do not teach their children about condoms and sex because they are expecting them to keep themselves free from sex until they are married, but peer pressure says otherwise.

My point is this: parents must not hide anything from their children because they have the Internet and other means that are teaching them and exposing them to everything about sex. They can even get DVDs to purchase on the streets.

Evangelist Thomas

United Way Church of God

8 Hudson Avenue, Water House

Kingston 11

That wasn't a wise scenario to be published in The Gleaner. It is not a good way to teach a 12-year-old child about sex. If my 12-year-old comes to me saying that, I would need to know where he learnt about having sex.

In America and most countries, an article like this would be under investigation for child abuse or molestation. No one in his or her right mind is going to send a child to buy a condom and no shopkeeper should be selling a condom to a 12-year-old kid.

I'm surprised The Gleaner allowed you to publish that article.

madviibes@yahoo.com.

I wish I could meet this mom. She deserves five stars. I have a 12-year-old myself and would never have thought of anything so innovative. I, maybe, would have tried scare tactics and told him of all the diseases that could be caught through having sex, or the responsibilities of getting someone pregnant, but never this.

She really deserves a medal. Great article, thanks for sharing.

Dion Murphy

murphyd24@yahoo.com.

You have me in stitches. This article is serious, yet hilarious! I'm not sure how I would have handled such a situation, but I do admire the approach this parent used.

The issue of STD should, however, be outlined, as the inability of the condom to fit the 12-year-old's 'size' is no deterrent to his hormonal urges, or the aggressiveness of today's females (even at a young age).

Jennifer Bennett

jenal63@yahoo.com

The open and honest relationship Beverly Dennis* has with her son, Kevin, was put to the test recently when the 12-year-old gadget freak emerged from his room and announced: "Mom, I think I am ready to have sex!"

Beverley was taken completely off guard, but a quick thinker and strategist, the real estate sales executive looked her son in the eye and said: "OK son, but there are some things you need to know and be prepared to do before you can start. First, you need to aquatint yourself with condoms. You must be able to use them properly. So, let's start by going to the pharmacy and getting some."

Find your match

It was about 7 p.m. and mother and son jumped into the car and made a quick dash to the nearest pharmacy. She told Kevin to go over to the cashier and make a selection.

No problem. Kevin selected five different brands, and Beverly paid the bill. The journey home was made in silence, with Kevin holding his little 'goodie' bag close to him.

Back at home, Beverly gave him some instructions. "OK Kevin, now you have your condoms. Go inside the bathroom and try them. In order for you to start having sex, one of those need to fit properly. Let's see which brand will work for you."

Kevin had been gone for a good 15 minutes. He finally emerged from the bathroom with a look of utter dejection on his face.

"Well, mom," he said. "I guess I won't be ready to have sex in a long while."

Beverly gave him a hug. "Kevin I knew you would not be, but I wanted you to prove it to yourself."

She said she knew he would not have been ready, based on the fact that he was still a child.

The names were changed to protect the identity of the family.