The Basics:
Talking with your kids about sex may not be easy, but it’s important – and it's never too early to start. You can make a big difference in helping them stay healthy and make good choices as they grow up.
It may be hard to know where to start, especially if your parents didn’t talk to you about sex when you were growing up. The following tips and strategies can help.
What do I say?
Kids have different questions and concerns about sex at different ages. As your child gets older, the things you talk about will change. Remember to:
- Talk early and often. You don’t have to fit everything into one conversation.
- Be ready to answer questions. Children’s questions can tell you a lot about what they already know.
- Listen carefully, even if you don’t agree with your child’s opinion.
- Try using things that come up on TV or in music to start a conversation.
- Be honest about how you are feeling. For example, if you are embarrassed or uncomfortable, it’s okay to say so.
Will talking to my child really make a difference?
Parents are the most important influence on a teen's decisions about sex and relationships – even more important than friends, siblings, or the media. Most teens say that it would be easier to make decisions about sex if they could talk openly and honestly with their parents.
Teens who talk with their parents about sex are more likely to put off having sex until they are older. They are also more likely to make healthy choices, like using condoms to prevent pregnancy and STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), if they do choose to have sex
