No parent wants their child to grow up too quickly or be exposed to things they’re not emotionally equipped to handle. We want to give them room to be children without adult worries. It’s our job to protect them, physically and emotionally, while we help them grow up at a gentle pace. Wanting to protect […]
TalkStarter for Adults: The Funny Side of the Birds & the Bees
If you’re feeling awkward about telling your kids about the birds and the bees, or even talking with your partner about sex, let a little humor help you through. Think about children you’ve known over the years: your own, or a friend’s children, or kids you knew growing up. What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever […]
Should Your Kids See You Naked?
When kids are infants, privacy is nonexistent. Nursing babies spend a lot of time with mom’s bare breasts. You might keep an eye on little ones by bringing them into the bathroom when you pee or shower (I sure did). They may sleep in the same bedroom you do. We see our babies naked all […]
TalkStarter for Adults: What Was the Most Helpful Thing Your Parents Said about Sex?
It’s easy to think about all the ways your parents didn’t do a great job teaching you about sexuality: the facts they avoided telling you, the times they freaked out or got judgy, the conversations they shut down, the things you wish you’d known. But they probably didn’t get it all wrong. Likely they told […]
Explaining Periods to Little Kids
When you buy pads or tampons, do you try to hide them from your kids? Do you avoid talking about your or your partner’s period when kids are around? If so, I respectfully suggest you try the opposite approach: Use periods as a conversation opener. Really. Having a period is a normal, healthy thing; it’s […]
With Birds & Bees, Questions Matter as Much as Answers
It can be hard to talk about sexuality with kids. It’s even harder if you think you need to have all the answers. Good news! You don’t need to know everything in order to be a valuable resource to your kids. Rather than worrying much about information, pay attention to the emotional tone of how […]
What Happens on the Bus Shouldn’t Stay on the Bus
Think back to when you rode the school bus. Was it a calm situation where all the children were well-behaved and kind? Or was it something of a free-for-all, with rowdiness, teasing, and sometimes worse? Yup, that’s what I thought. Your kids’ bus ride is likely the least-supervised part of their school day. It’s also […]
It’s a Great Day for the Birds & the Bees
No matter the age of your child, today is a terrific day to take one small step toward the quality of their eventual sex life. (Which, yes, someday they will actually have….) It’s World Sexual Health Day—so go for it! Here are some easy ways to get the birds and the bees convo started (or […]
Should Your Toddler Be Naked at the Beach?
The joys of summer: lakes, beaches, pools; swimsuits instead of jackets. It’s wonderful to embrace the freedom of being outside and feeling the air on your skin. But how much skin should a child show? As in, is it okay for kids to run around in the buff? At what age, if any, does this […]
Mentioning the “M Word” to Your Kids
So, I can’t believe I almost missed International Masturbation Month. But there’s still time for me to write this post—and for you to use the word in front of your kids.* It’s not as difficult as you might think! (*And, of course, there’s no deadline. This is just an easy way to bring up the […]