Maybe you read the recent New York Times Magazine article about a program, nicknamed Porn Literacy, that aims to help teens think critically about what they see in pornography. If you haven’t read it, you should, especially if you’ve got kids over the age of 8. (More later on why I mention that age.) It […]
Quiz: Are You a Birds-and-Bees Steamroller?
For many parents, what’s hard about having “The Talk” with kids is saying anything at all. But for others, the problem can be saying too much. Maybe that’s due to nerves, maybe to enthusiasm that your child is finally asking, or maybe it’s just personal style. Openness and information about sexuality are helpful–unless you get […]
When’s the Best Time to Teach “the Birds and the Bees”?
Maybe you haven’t yet had “The Talk” and you’re looking for the right opportunity. Maybe you’re planning to wait for a couple more years. Maybe your kid should be a little older…. Maybe you’ve talked a little about the birds and the bees, but it’s so dang awkward you’d rather not go into more detail…at […]
Use Summer Drives for the Birds & the Bees?
Your family may take a road trip this summer. Maybe you’re heading to the beach, to relatives’, or to a campground. You’ll have the kids in the car for a block of time, so maybe you’re thinking about plunging into a talk about sex while there are fewer distractions than usual. It’s probably better if […]
Babies Do NOT Come from Mommies’ Tummies
Little kids are infinitely curious about the world. They’re little scientists, trying to figure out how everything works. (That’s the reason they ask so many exhausting “why” questions.) They also don’t have filters for what topics are awkward or impolite. They see, they notice, so they comment or ask about whatever is in front of […]
She Got Her First Period. Let’s Celebrate!
A daughter’s first period is a milestone for her—and also for her parents. It may be a dreaded event, heralding her budding sexuality and the turmoil of the teen years. Or it may be a happy thing, a source of pride, because your cherished daughter is moving toward the woman she’ll become. Parents may have […]
Too Tired for Sex
With all the demands of modern life, sometimes couples just don’t have the time or energy to spend intimate moments together. With jobs, errands to do, maybe kids, a household to run, and outside commitments, sometimes there just isn’t much left over for your partner. But that’s a problem. Your partner shouldn’t be getting only […]
Which Parent Should Teach the Birds & the Bees?
Teaching kids about sex is uncomfortable for most parents. If you’re a single parent, the task pretty much falls to you, comfortable or not. But if there are two parents in the picture, who should cover it? Can you let your spouse handle the job? Well, maybe…but not really. It’s best for kids if both […]
Growing Your Child’s Sexual Health
There’s so much to nurture when we raise kids. We help them to grow in so many areas: language, emotional self-control, social interactions, practical skills, academics, compassion…. While you’re working on all that, remember to also factor in their sexual health. Even though it will be years before they’re sexually active, what you do now […]
Protecting Your Kid from Porn
The amount and variety of pornography available on the internet is truly amazing. And if you’re a parent, it’s truly terrifying. How can you keep your children from seeing sexual material—-especially anything-but-mainstream behavior—that’s far beyond their ability to comprehend? Finding pornography at an early age is usually very unsettling for kids. Unlike teens, who have […]