Sexuality
What does sexuality mean for your kid?
The topic of sexuality could have a lot of different connotations for children, depending on their age and what they may have been exposed to on TV, online, through music or in the classroom. It could be uncomfortable for your child to ask questions and therefore, to learn about sexuality from the right kind of resources.
Actions to start a conversation
Parents can often start a conversation by:
Asking kids what they think about what they may have shared has happened with their classmates or peers regarding crushes or other relevant comments.
Asking kids what they think about media representations of sexuality that you encounter when together.
Talking openly about the fact, when the time is right, physical romance is a wonderful part of life.
Make it known that sex is natural and healthy as long as it is consensual.
Asking kids what they think about what they may have shared has happened with their classmates or peers regarding crushes or other relevant comments.
Asking kids what they think about media representations of sexuality that you encounter when together.
Talking openly about the fact, when the time is right, physical romance is a wonderful part of life.
Make it known that sex is natural and healthy as long as it is consensual.
Actions to do while listening
When kids bring up the topic of sex and sexuality, they often have a specific concern or question in mind. They are seeking information from a reliable source, but often worry that they will get more information than they bargained for. To listen effectively to your child:
Ask about what brought the topic or question to mind.
Limit your input or answer to the topic/question at hand.
Ask if they have more on the topic that they want to talk/ask about.
Ask permission (and wait until you receive it) to take the conversation further if you are inclined to do so. Doing so will increase the chances that your child will return to you for future conversations about sexuality.
Ask about what brought the topic or question to mind.
Limit your input or answer to the topic/question at hand.
Ask if they have more on the topic that they want to talk/ask about.
Ask permission (and wait until you receive it) to take the conversation further if you are inclined to do so. Doing so will increase the chances that your child will return to you for future conversations about sexuality.
Actions to understand
Children and teenagers have an innate curiosity about sexuality and a healthy interest in learning about it. Unfortunately, they also get a lot of confusing, and sometimes upsetting, information about sexuality from their peers, online environments, and the media. In order to understand your child, be sure to:
Be curious, not judgmental, in your conversations about sexuality.
Find out what they have heard, what they thinks, and what they believes about sexuality.
Share your own values and beliefs about sexuality once you know where your child is coming from - then ask for their opinion on what you have shared.
Be curious, not judgmental, in your conversations about sexuality.
Find out what they have heard, what they thinks, and what they believes about sexuality.
Share your own values and beliefs about sexuality once you know where your child is coming from - then ask for their opinion on what you have shared.