Your answer needs to be age appropriate. Also, age appropriate will differ depending on whether children grow up on a farm or other animal intense environment or in a city or other more sanitized location. You did not mention how old the children were, or what type of upbringing they are experiencing, so here is a progression of answers for children very young, on up, with some side-bars if they witness a lot of nature:

Very young (under 4):
"You were a special gift to Mommy and Daddy from God" (the Universe, Angels, Stars, whatever your family believes in). The emphasis being short (that's all they want) and that they are special/appreciated.

Young but starting to comprehend cause and effect (approx age 4-10):
"You grew inside Mommy's tummy when you were very tiny, where you were safe until you were big."
If they ask how they got out of your tummy say "You came out through the gate between my legs." Younger kids might want to look at the gate, but at this age they probably already understand the sanctity of your "private parts." If they are growing up on a farm or in an environment with lots of animals, they will most likely have already seen how birth works. Hopefully you let your child witness a pet (dog, cat, etc) giving birth. It will take a lot of the mystery out of it for them. It's a very gentle way to teach them a significant part of the "circle of life."

Children ages 10 and younger aren't in the least bit interested in finding out about sex; or in figuring out the functions of different parts of the body. They are just curious about the transition of baby inside tummy to baby outside tummy.

Once a child reaches the "tween" years, you need to be prepared to have a factual, matter-of-fact, look them in the eye, conversation about your family's views on sex. The facts are anatomy and biology, the views are morals and safety. You don't want to have one conversation without the other and assume that your child "knows" that sex is for when you're married (or whatever your family view is). Be sure to talk about every aspect with an emphasis on safety. But take note: Your child will still only want a brief, straight-to-the-point conversation. They will most likely have one or two questions that they want a succinct answer to in follow-up to your initial explanation, but that's all. Don't misinterpret this to mean they want an in-depth discussion. They just want to clear-up in their mind something specific they heard from a friend that they didn't understand.

Once your tween is cognizant of sex (whether they had the conversation with you or not) you need to regularly mention the downside consequences of premature and unprotected sex on a regular basis, along with the downside and consequences of drugs, smoking, speeding and all other adult level activities that if experienced too young (or ever) are exceptionally detrimental be it physically, psychologically, spiritually, socially, or all of the above.

This might seem exceptionally conservative or "uptight" an approach, but your question was about children and strong limits are important in areas that can compromise their safety.

Below are links to sites with many good approaches. Not each one might be in sync with your family values, but they may give you good ideas for minimizing your embarrassment and feeling comfortable with the discussion.

(The book pic below is from a Christian perspective, but can be of value for any religion in it's approach concepts. Just insert your values in place of the values the book may espouse.)
.

From one parent to another, I wish to be blunt. Never be embarrased by a question that your child might ask. Asking questions is a sign of intelligence. If a child senses that you are set off by a certain type of question, that child might stray from asking questions in the future. One of the last things that you want to do as a parent is discourage your child from learning.

Also, keep in mind that sex is a tender subject for many people. Wouldn't you rather your child learn about sex from you than someone else? Wouldn't it help to break down a lot of potential barriers between you and your child if they could look back and sa that you were able to teach them about an important subject in gaining maturity like sex?

I remember back in history class that many historians believed that one of the aspects that led to the sexual revolution of the sixties and seventies was the fact that so many post-WWII families did not want to talk about sex. It became taboo. The best way for a child to break out when it comes to a taboo subject is to partake in whatever the taboo subject is. This issue continues to this day. While not an expert, I could go out on a limb and state that there might be less teen pregnancy and teen STDs if parents were more comfortable talking about sex with their children.

I've always been straightforward. Doesn't mean I'm terribly comfortable with it, but I do it because I know that to act embarrassed will give them the idea that something is "wrong" or "dirty" about their bodies, and I don't want to go down that route. With my oldest 14 and youngest 5, this has worked.

It also worked with me. I asked all these hard questions when I was around 4 years old. My mom answered them calmly, with the level of detail I could handle. A couple of years later at school, when all the kids were sniggering and acting as if they knew things they really didn't to try to impress people, I could tell they didn't know what they were talking about. And they were developing a bad attitude about it all, too. I was only 7 but I'd just roll my eyes.

When I was out of college and at my first job, and my coworkers would tell dirty jokes with the same snickering attitude as those kids when I was 7, I did the same thing: rolled my eyes. Half of them were divorced or had gotten themselves into some kind of hot water.

So just be straightforward and direct. Use the real words for things, not "chacha" or whatever, because that conveys a sense of something being too icky to name. Don't go into more detail than they can handle at whatever ages they are. When I was 3, and I asked where babies come from, my mom told me "When mommies and daddies love each other very much, they get close together and sometimes the mommy has a baby start growing inside her." When I was 4 or 5, I knew there was a place called a uterus or a womb. I knew the "baby seed" came from the dad, although I didn't know how it got out or ended up inside the mom. I think when I was an older 5, she told me that part. She told me all of this before I had any hormones, and was just intellectually curious. I think that's part of the key.

Likewise, she also told me about my cycle long before it started, so I'd know what to look for and wouldn't be terrified, like some young girls are, by suddenly bleeding. Some girls actually think they're going to die when this happens if no one has prepared then!

You're being a good parent by trying to get this right.

I would suggest being open and straightforward, as others mentioned. Also, try to explain it to them in a way that they will understand depending on age. Don't be embarrassed—you want your children to be open and comfortable talking with you and you want them to be prepared, especially girls starting puberty. All of the suggestions previously mentioned are good ones.

Something very important though: Try your best to encourage that this information stay within your family. Not because it should be a secret, but because kids talk and other kids' parents might not be too happy with their children finding out about sex at too young an age, or before they think the kids are ready, and, even more, finding out from someone other than themselves.

You just say that it is a gift of 'God' & 'God' gives this gift when a boy after completion of his education gets a job & then marries a girl fulfilling the same criteria.

You do not have to use the adult words.. For giving birth.. You can say You grew in your mothers belly like this.. And put a ball into a paper bag.. and say then your mother gave birth to you and you came out of her like this and squeeze the ball out of the bag.. ... depends on how old they are.. As to if they want to know more than just seeing that demo or not. Otherwise there is always videos of live births or c-sections you can rent at the library to watch with your own children.. Some people gave a video of their own children being born.. with some parts edited out..

Indeed, here in the American culture, parents tend to be more straightforward about these kind of things and try to engage in a very friendly and open relationship; however, this is certainly not the only way things are done.

For example, in China where I grew up, parents would never be "straightforward" about it if they tell you anything on the subject at all; parents generally disregard children's curiosity by simply saying "you'll understand when you grow older" or "a little kid does not need to worry about things like this", if they deem the topic inappropriate. While many Western readers may think this is a bad way of handling it, such practices have cultural roots in the long-long-past, and when we are talking about Eastern civilizations, this often mean a dozen times longer than the history of US. As such, it does not make sense to dismiss their practices.

Nor should anyone simply copy them. I think the key is balance, and individual preference. Since you are asking this question, you are probably not too comfortable sitting your young kid down and have a discussion about it, so you don't have to. You are the parent, and you know best. Do keep in mind three things though--TV, Internet and peers. If you withhold some information and the kids really wish to find out, they more likely than not will be able to in the short future. Worse yet, they will possibly find out it the wrong way, know the wrong information, and have the wrong impression that the parents are up to something behind their back and unwilling to tell them things...so in the extreme case you try to shut the kids out completely, it will backfire, a lot. So I'd suggest like the kids know as much as you are comfortable with and you think they are mature enough to understand, and keep in mind that if you did not fully satisfy the kids' curiosity, it might be a good idea to revisit the issue on a later date.

I have an 8 year old and 5 year old, so far, i have told them that our god takes a baby seed out of dad's body and put's it in mummy's tummy. Daddy has to go to work, so mummy is there to feed him/her in her tummy and keep him/her warm until mummy's tummy gets too big and it's time for you to see everyone. Whenever we want one, we ask for a seed. But right now our lives are busy and we do need any more seeds. When my kids get in a fight, one will say to another "I am going to ask god for another seed, because avi is bothering me" arrrrgggh. But when the time is right, being honest and straightforward is the best way.

God send the angel to you after you and your wife got married.

Well, traditionally you could tell them the Stork brought them. But if you don't live in Europe, and in a quaint old village at that, it won't be very convincing. They might ask why they never see a stork, and they don't live in America, let alone nest on rooftops. You could try telling them the Chimney Swift brought them. If you live outside a city and have an old fashioned chimney at least you'll see them around. But it wouldn't be very convincing - they are so tiny, and have such tiny, weak legs.

Maybe you should break down and tell them Mom and Dad had sex and forgot to use a condom. What's more important, your kid getting a straight answer or you avoiding being embarrassed for a moment? And remember, when you tell a lie, white or not, you are setting yourself up for a tangle of further lies to back it up.