additional resources
Books
How to Talk with Your Kids about Sex
Help Your Children Develop a Positive,
Healthy Attitude Toward Sex and Relationships
by Dr. John Chirban © 2012
It's So Amazing
by Robie H. Harris & Michael Emberley © 2014
Talking Sex with Your Kids
Keeping Them Safe and You Sane
by Amber Madison © 2010
Everything You Never Wanted Your Kids to Know
About Sex (But Were Afraid They'd Ask)
The Secrets to Surviving Your Child's Sexual Development
from Birth to the Teens
by Dr. Justin Richardson & Dr. Mark Schuster © 2004
The Real Truth About Teens & Sex
What Teens Are Thinking, Doing, and Talking About
by Sabrina Weill ©2006
PARENT TIPS
Remind them they should expect respect.
Websites
Respect, Rights, Responsibility Regarding Youth for Teens, Parents, and Educators
Research Site from Rutgers University for Professionals, Parents, and Teens
Downloadable Booklet on Human Sexuality for Students with Special Needs
Informative Site about Teen Pregnancy, including Fact Sheets and Statistics
Online Newsletter about Sexuality by and for Teenagers
CONVERSATION STARTERS
TV Watching
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What do you think about what she/he is wearing?
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What do you think about how he/she treats his/her partner?
Music Lyrics
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Listen to music together and ask your child what the lyrics mean.
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Is he/she comfortable with the lyrics?
Events at School
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What do you think about your friend being pregnant?
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Do most of the kids at your school use condoms if they are having sex?
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What happened with the kids that got busted at school for sexting?
One Way Conversation
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Keep talking and ignore eye rolling.
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Ask questions that will encourage a discussion rather than a lecture.
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Listen non-judgmentally.
READY, SET, TALK
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It's never too early.
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ALWAYS use proper names of body parts.
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The more they know, the more they will talk, so keep talking.
WHAT DO KIDS NEED TO HEAR FROM THEIR PARENTS?
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How their bodies work.
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Family/religious values as they relate to sex.
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Do not lie to your child; you will lose his/her trust.
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Walk the talk ... be a role model.
TO BE OR NOT TO BE EMBARRASSED
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It is normal for both the child and the parent to be embarrassed.
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Let your child know it is okay and that laughter is okay, but keep talking.
HOW TO ASK QUESTIONS
Now is the time to ask a question related to talking with your child about sex. We are here to help you provide factual and accurate information to your child. Excellent questions and answers will be posted (with identifying information removed), so that this will be a learning resource for all involved. All questions will be answered in 48 hours. See format below for posting a question.
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Who is the question about?
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Son
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Daughter
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Grandchild
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other
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Age of child
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How can we help you?