When you were a teenager, did you read romance novels? Does your teen daughter read them? Your son? If they don’t, you might want to pick up a couple Harlequin Romances and leave them lying around. They’re a surprisingly useful component of sex education. OK, this might not be obvious. It makes more sense when […]
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 […]
When Should Kids Watch PG-13 Movies?
When children are super-little, it’s easy: G-rated movies only. But it doesn’t take long before kids want to see shows whose ratings say they’re for an older audience. When are they ready? That depends on two things: your child’s temperament and the reason for the movie’s rating. How Your Kid Is If your child is […]
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 […]
Hey, Parents: Having a Good Sex Life Is Good for Your Kids
Parents’ healthy sex life models affection, teaches that sex is private and good, and strengthens the couple relationship, which gives kids stability.
TalkStarter for Teens: What Was Hard for You as a Teen
Maybe you’ve always meant to talk more with your kids about sex and dating, but kept putting it off. Now they’re teens or preteens and you know you need to open a conversation, but you don’t know where to start. How can you get beyond the wall of groans, eye-rolling, and “I know all that”? […]
Birds & Bees TalkStarter: The Kavanaugh Accusations
Whatever your views on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court and the recent accusations against him, one thing is certain: It’s an excellent opportunity for a conversation with your teen about sex and consent. Some teens may be aware of the headlines; others may be oblivious. If your teen hasn’t mentioned anything […]
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 […]