Your children are just starting school and trying to process all that they're learning -- whether it's in the classroom or on the playground.

So they pop the question: ``Where did I come from?''

You blink -- and after the initial shock, stammer a beginning lesson in sex education.

Good job, Mom and Dad!

Keep the communication open. Answer the questions honestly in an age-appropriate manner. Do not treat the question lightly. Do not change the subject until your child is satisfied.

Neighbors reader Kari S. Vogler -- who is contemplating a career in the medical field -- has been volunteering at Jackson Memorial Hospital and Planned Parenthood after she met a 20-year-old woman with a 3-year-old son; the boyfriend had told her that she could not get pregnant the first time they had sex.

Kari recounts that the young woman had attended a good high school but ``did not know something so simple because of a poor sex education program from the school and little discussion with her parents.''

First and foremost, sex education should start in the home. As parents it is our responsibility to make sure our children understand about sex as well as our values and what we expect. This can be difficult but we need to let our children know where we stand on sexual activity.

As they reach the teenage years, you need to talk with them about behavior -- and consequences. No lectures, just pure, open conversations which inform and empower our children.

There is a lot of information out there to assist parents. Bookstores are full of helpful resources.

Among the numerous topics presented for parent-child discussions are areas such as: ``What to Tell Your Teen About Sex,'' ``Your Teen Daughter: What About S-E-X?,'' ``Talking to Our Sons about Sex and Limits'' and ``Supporting Your Gay Teen.''

Planned Parenthood also offers educational information (www.ppsoflo.org).

``Planned Parenthood is on the front lines of healthcare delivery, providing basic preventive care -- and comprehensive sex education -- in our community,'' said Lillian A. Tamayo, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of South Florida and the Treasure Coast.

Contact the group if you need a help in talking to your child.

Last year the nonprofit educated 110,000 teens and adults (www.teentime.org), providing them with medically accurate sex education. Planned Parenthood's Hispanic outreach programs served 11,500. And the train-the-trainer series enables parents in underserved communities to become leaders in sex education. The series is provided in English, Spanish and Creole.

As parents, we are our child's most important teacher. It's our responsibility to help our children learn about their sexuality. Communication must be open and any questions must be addressed honestly. We love our children dearly. So it is vital that we address this important aspect of their lives.

Robin Sarantos, Ph.D., retired from the Miami-Dade Public Schools, was a counselor at Coral Reef High.