03:56
Faizan
Parents should talk to their kids about sex before the kids study it in school. Typically, sex-ed courses begin in late elementary or early middle school grades. It is normal for parents to feel awkward about bringing up the subject of sex with their children, and adolescents may be leery of their parent's advice. Nevertheless, a parent is the best person to teach her child about dating, sexuality, love and commitment, advises HealthyChildren.org., a website published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Younger Children
Toddlers and preschoolers willingly accept imprecise answers to questions about where babies come from. Young kids may settle for a vague answer like babies are made when mommy and daddy are close to each other School-aged kids may be not be satisfied with hazy answers that beat around the bush. They may demand more specifics about the link between sexuality and how babies are made, points out MayoClinic.com. Ask your school-aged child what she knows -- or thinks she knows -- about sex if she begins to ask more complex questions. It's a good time to correct any misinformation she may have learned from friends or classmates.
Teens and Sex-Ed
It is the rare parent who is perfectly at ease with the idea that their teen may be having sex. Many parents may worry that if they talk about sex, it will peak their child's curiosity and encourage him to try it. Teens are curious about sex whether or not your broach the subject. Among U.S. high school students surveyed in 2011, more than 47 percent had sexual intercourse at least once and nearly 34 percent had engaged in sexual intercourse during the previous three months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC. Talking to your teen about birth control is very important, since many teens do not take the necessary precautions to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases or STDs. The CDC statistics revealed that nearly 77 percent of sexually active teens did not use oral contraceptives or a contraceptive injection the last time they had sexual intercourse, and 44 percent did not use a condom.
Tight-Lipped Teens
If your teen claims that his sexual interests and preferences are his personal business, and he refuses to discuss sexual topics, put your foot down and insist that it is very much your business. Let your teen know that you are not prying into his private life to be a nuisance, but that you need to know. Explain that you simply want an open and honest conversation about sex because you care about him and are concerned about the risk of pregnancy, and STDs such as HIV-AIDs. Say your piece in a calm manner, even if your teen does not engage in the conversation.
Considerations
Practicing what you want to say to your teen about sex can give you confidence as you enter into what can be a touchy topic. Reading about how to talk to your adolescent about sex can help. When you are ready for the "talk" tell your teen that you feel strongly that facts about sex should come from you and not exclusively from a Sex-Ed class or what he figures out on his own or hears from his buddies. If you absolutely cannot bring yourself to talk about sex with your teen, a close relative, member of the clergy or pediatrician may be willing to step in and help.
Younger ChildrenToddlers and preschoolers willingly accept imprecise answers to questions about where babies come from. Young kids may settle for a vague answer like babies are made when mommy and daddy are close to each other School-aged kids may be not be satisfied with hazy answers that beat around the bush. They may demand more specifics about the link between sexuality and how babies are made, points out MayoClinic.com. Ask your school-aged child what she knows -- or thinks she knows -- about sex if she begins to ask more complex questions. It's a good time to correct any misinformation she may have learned from friends or classmates.
Teens and Sex-Ed
It is the rare parent who is perfectly at ease with the idea that their teen may be having sex. Many parents may worry that if they talk about sex, it will peak their child's curiosity and encourage him to try it. Teens are curious about sex whether or not your broach the subject. Among U.S. high school students surveyed in 2011, more than 47 percent had sexual intercourse at least once and nearly 34 percent had engaged in sexual intercourse during the previous three months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC. Talking to your teen about birth control is very important, since many teens do not take the necessary precautions to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases or STDs. The CDC statistics revealed that nearly 77 percent of sexually active teens did not use oral contraceptives or a contraceptive injection the last time they had sexual intercourse, and 44 percent did not use a condom.
Tight-Lipped Teens
If your teen claims that his sexual interests and preferences are his personal business, and he refuses to discuss sexual topics, put your foot down and insist that it is very much your business. Let your teen know that you are not prying into his private life to be a nuisance, but that you need to know. Explain that you simply want an open and honest conversation about sex because you care about him and are concerned about the risk of pregnancy, and STDs such as HIV-AIDs. Say your piece in a calm manner, even if your teen does not engage in the conversation.
Considerations
Practicing what you want to say to your teen about sex can give you confidence as you enter into what can be a touchy topic. Reading about how to talk to your adolescent about sex can help. When you are ready for the "talk" tell your teen that you feel strongly that facts about sex should come from you and not exclusively from a Sex-Ed class or what he figures out on his own or hears from his buddies. If you absolutely cannot bring yourself to talk about sex with your teen, a close relative, member of the clergy or pediatrician may be willing to step in and help.
Posted in: Teen Dating & Sex
