As we study her lessons, I tell myself, this is it! Take one step at a time
HAVING WORKED for 12 years in the corporate world, I never realized that it has been nine years since I became a 24/7 mom to my daughters ages 10 and six.

I have been with them every step of their independence and I am very proud of them. From diapers to jeans and dresses; from bottled infant milk to ready-to-drink milk and juices; from baby shoes to sandals, step-ins; from ?Sesame Street,? ?Barney,? ?Blue?s Clues? and Walt Disney Princesses to ?High School Musical? and ?Camp Rock?; from Barbie to Hannah Montana, Vanessa Hudgens, Justine Bieber, Jonas Brothers and Taylor Swift; from bedtime story books to Nancy Drew, Pokemon Omnibus and Total Girl magazines; from nursery to grade school and soon high school and college. How time flies!

It?s hard to raise and protect our children, especially daughters?they are very fragile and sweet, how can I/we protect them from the outside world and bad people? How I wish I could be with them all day long.

Came school year June 2010, I read and watched the news about Sex Education being part of their curriculum. I did not pay attention to that. I told myself?no, it?s too early for my girls to know that. Parents, teachers and the Department of Education were arguing over whether or not children in preparatory school should be aware of this.

I admit there are times my daughters, especially my eldest, ask so many questions about things they see on TV and magazines?boy and girl kissing, couple lying in bed, holding hands, etc. ?What happened?? ?Why are they doing that?? ?Are they husband and wife?? ?Are they married?? ?Only married couples do that, right Mama just like you and Papa holding hands and kissing and exchanging I love yous?? These are questions that pop out of my eldest.

Yes, I always tell her that only married couples do that, not girl-boyfriend thing. I am telling this to protect her. I always remind my girls that they should take care of themselves, that nobody should take advantage of them, especially boys.

And I am very thankful they do. Good thing they know taekwondo as well (they are low red and low yellow belts).

I came from a conservative family. I don?t remember asking my mother about the birds and the bees. It?s a good thing I have a sister and three brothers, but I also don?t recall that we talked about it.

Our growing up years were fun, we were inseparable in school and at home. We studied our homework together and exchanged ideas. Now, that my three siblings are married it?s the only time that we talk and joke about it.

Anyway, now it?s my turn to teach/guide my children, with support from my dear husband once in awhile. He has three brothers and zero sisters!

The terms birds and the bees are no longer applicable, thanks to books, TV, cell phones and computers?sometimes these are blessings, other times not.

I was surprised that as early as June they?ve been studying the male and female reproductive organs. And indeed my daughter is learning about them very well. She even had a higher grade studying the male reproductive organs, than the female. Female reproductive organ, she said, is complicated and has too many parts.

I now realized that whether I like it or not, time will come when my daughters will ask me about sex education. I can no longer hold off talking about it.

The time is now, though I still find it very early, at their age. But, education should indeed start at home and the support group comes from their teachers.

So now, as we study her lessons together, I pray for guidance. I try not to discuss too many complicated terms. I follow my instincts too.

Though I admit I am still reluctant to pronounce words such as vagina, penis, I tell myself, this is it! This is the moment. I have to be with them and teach them the right values. I should not panic! Take one step at a time as I join my daughters in their learning process.

I hope I am doing the right thing, overacting sometimes, but that?s life!