3 Tips for Rethinking "The Talk"

Going from a child to an adult is no easy task. Not even for the parents watching the child morph into a young adult.  As a parent, we don’t know when the perfect time is to talk to our child about awkward things like changes in their body, or the dreaded ‘sex talk.’  Here are a few suggestions to help navigate the BIG changes that are either already happening or will be happening soon for your child: 

1- Be proactive - Embrace the idea that you have a role in helping your child go through these awkward years. You are there to help the process!

2- The sex talk isn’t just a talk, it is a conversation that evolves over time. My suggestion is to start talking about the basics between ages 8-10.  I usually started by telling my children how their bodies would be changing soon, and then I shared the “why” behind those changes. After that I’d introduce the idea of what sex is. You don’t have to share every detail during the first conversation!  Let your child lead the way in how much you say. If your child is asking a lot of questions, of course answer them; but if they aren’t super curious, then maybe just a little information is all they need at this moment in time. Make sure you tell them, “If you have more questions, I’m always here to answer them!”

3- Think of yourself as your child’s advocate. If you aren’t willing to have these potentially awkward conversations, who will? Wouldn’t you rather them get the right information from you, than the wrong information from their friends?

There’s no perfect time or perfect script for starting to talk to your kids about puberty and sex, so don’t let your fear of “messing it up” keep you from starting the conversation. Just remember, God will equip you with everything you need!