By Amanda Grossman-Scott
One of the biggest questions parents ask is, “when do I start talking to my kids about sex?” and the answer is very simple: As soon as your child is able to talk, your duty to teach them about healthy sexuality has begun. “With cell phones and tablets at the fingertips of young children, we can no longer wait for them to ask us about sex. We must begin these conversations and be the first, best source of information for our children,” said Dina Alexander, MS, Board President of Educate and Empower Kids. “If you aren’t talking to your kids about sex, someone else is. And those other sources could be friends, but they could also be predators or the porn industry.”
How can you start a conversation with a three year old about sex? Well, the discussions they are ready for is evident in the questions they ask, the behavior they display and the people they are in contact with. But the truth is that as soon as your child is aware of him or herself– even with that first diaper change, you are teaching your child with your demeanor how bodies are to be respected and cared for. Some topics for discussion are:
- Anatomy
- How to take care of and pride in your body.
- How do I keep my body safe?
- What makes me special and unique?
- Is anyone allowed to take pictures of a child’s body?
- Is it ok for children to see pictures of naked people?
What if you are nearing the dreaded tween stage? Or what if your child has entered puberty or is already a teenager? The above subjects are still the fundamental basis for the conversations you need to have. They should be continuous and ever-evolving with age and maturity level.
These discussions, of course, should always be age appropriate and guided by parents’ good judgment. Parents should also share their own feelings and cultural beliefs about these topics with their children. Educate and Empower Kids’ new books, 30 Days of Sex Talks, Empowering Your Child with Knowledge of Sexual Intimacy, help parents tackle topics relevant to every child, like: “my body belongs to me”, predators, self-esteem, instincts, gender, and friendship.
So, parents- the answer to the question “when should I start talking to my child about sex?” is unquestionably: NOW.
We’ve made starting these conversations with your child simple and easy. All the work has been done for you. , which is available for ages 3-7, 8-11 and 12+, is full of amazing topics that will help you grow a healthy child. Starting today.
