Loading ...Talking to your children about sex and intimacy is a very important part of parenting. But having "the talk" can be awkward. Here are a few tips to make the discussion easier.
Birds, Bees, and Blushing: Talking to Your Kids About Sex
The mere thought of talking about sex with kids can make even the most cool and collected parent stammer for the right words. Talking about sex is hard, but it’s worth the uncomfortable moments–studies show that those kids who felt they could talk openly about sex with their parents were much less likely to engage in high-risk behavior.
Talking about sex becomes easier if you start the discussions early. When your child is learning the words for fingers and toes, start lessons about naming other body parts, too. Assign the proper names to them–steer clear of the cute nicknames for their privates.
As your child grows, keep the conversations age-appropriate. A young child should be able to understand a basic explanation of how babies are made. Anticipate your child’s next stage of development and discuss what they will experience. For instance, eight years old is an appropriate age to discuss menstruation with a young lady, and ten or eleven is not too young to discuss the consequences of unwanted pregnancy.
If you’re uncomfortable talking about sex with your child, be honest about that, too. Acknowledging that you both feel a bit awkward can be the perfect way to break the ice. By the time your child is a teenager, you will be comfortable talking about more adult subjects, such as sexually transmitted diseases.
Keep the doors of communication wide open! It is the best way to make certain your child has the information they need about sex, and the trust you foster now will last a lifetime.
Shannon Dauphin
Shannon Dauphin is a researcher, novelist, occasional editor, and owner of a booming freelance business. Her most important job, however, is being Mom to the coolest kids she has ever met.
Talking with Kids About Sex and Relationships • 0000-00-00
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