Children and The Talk

I was thinking while driving home from work this morning about how my herpes would effect my children if I actually have some one day.
Yes if I have any I will have a C-section because of the risks of a vaginal birth with herpes. But I mean will it effect them in other ways?
Theres no reason they would ever have to know. Aside from the actual delivery it doesn't have to effect them. I think though I would rather be open with them and tell them at the same time I have the sex/ puberty talk with them. I think 10 11 12 are about the ages I would consider having that talk with them.
I decided this when my mother and I had to give the talk to my neice and newphew at 9 and 11 because their mother didn't know what to say. From hearing that many wouldn't be surprised to find out my nephew at 13 got a girl pregnant. I won't bitch about what my views are on my brother's ex-wife's lack of common sense though.
I am hoping unlike my nephew, knowing a parent has dealt with something like an STD would make my own child realize that I might be a little more then wise when I tell them that sex isn't a game. I don't mind using some of the graphic images I came across when I first was told I had herpes. Those would have scared me into virginity in a second. ( I went to catholic school so I never got to see such things)
Also in my own openness I hope they feel that they can come to me with any problem sex-related or not. I believe in open, clear communication with kids because I think they are smarter then adults give them credit for. They will figure things out on their own. If you don't talk to them who knows what skewed information they might come up with. I was a smart intuitive kid I know if I have them my kids will be the same.
That is years away, I hope. Right now it scares me to think about raising a child. I just got my own life together, so excuse me for being selfish but, no kids for the near future.

A little background

I don't consider myself a slut, whore, loose, or any other label put upon a woman that expresses a healthy sexual appetite. I will tell you honestly, I've had 13 partners. It was the 12th that I had dated for six months that transmitted HSV to me. He, to this day, denies it. I will admit in my opinion, yes, that is a lot for someone only sexually active for five years. I will say this on my behalf, I never once had a one-night-stand. Yes, I regret some of my partners, hell, most of them. Although, I considered each one friends at the time. No, I never considered myself in love with anyone. In a perfect I would wish to still be a virgin til I did find that love. This isn't a perfect world. It does still spin. I see this as a golden chance to be absolutely sure that when I do fall in love it will be with someone who loves me wholly as I am. I am also realistic in knowing there is a chance that I may never find that person. I won't be alone, I have to many wonderful friends that have stuck around too long.

I don't claim to know how to live life after being exposed, this isn't going to be a guide or manual, just my life living- dating, meeting people, retaining friends, dealing with family, a job, life in general- with herpes.

Beginnings

My name-- doesn't matter. Where I live-- unnecessary. I'm just another 20-something female living in the United States. There is only one major distinguishing factor to my life that is relevant to this particular blog. I am, in fact, living with herpes. I stress living. Despite what 95% of what is out there tells you, life goes on after being diagnosed with an STD. I agree playing up the need to being safe sexually to avoid contracting such things is the best tactic. The best reason not to have sex for as long as you can wait. But as I've found once your infected your left on your own about how to conduct your life. Some going as far as giving the leper treatment. There has to be more out there for someone with a disease to hold on to as far as realizing you still are a human being. With all the rejection and blame that is put on to those living STDs, more has to be said to assure a person that they are still normal. So let this be my addition to the world.