How to talk to your kids about sex

It’s normal for young children to be curious about their bodies and to ask questions about things like where babies come from. Once they’re in school, they’re likely to come home and ask questions about what they learned on the bus or the playground. Questions that can sometimes make your jaw drop. They hear or see things on the news about inappropriate sexual behavior and you know you need to have a conversation but can’t find the right words.

You want your children to learn about sex and sexuality from you, you want to share your values with them, you want them to feel comfortable coming to you for information. The trouble is, your parents shied away from talking openly with you when you were a child and even though you’ve vowed to be different, you feel awkward, unprepared and tongue-tied.

Jennifer Wiessner understands how you feel, and not just because she’s the mother of two young boys. She’s a licensed clinical social worker and a certified sex therapist. In addition to working with adults on their issues, she also conducts workshops for parents on how to raise sexually healthy children. In this episode of the Catching Health podcast, she offers some expert advice on talking to kids 9 to 14.

In this episode

• I introduce the topic and Jennifer.
• Jennifer explains why, no matter what their age, it’s important to talk about healthy sexuality.
• We recap a previous conversation about talking to children under the age of 9.
• Jennifer gives some tips on how to start the conversation with your child.
• She tells us how much information is appropriate.
• She gives some advice about how difficult it can be for some parents to talk about sex and sexuality.
• She describes sexually healthy behavior for children between 9 and 14.
• She tells us how to handle those questions from kids that can leave us speechless.
• She talks about current events and how we can turn what we and our kids hear or read into teachable moments.
• She describes her Raising Sexually Healthy workshops.
• She talks about why she does this work.
• We say goodbye and I wrap up by telling listeners about the resources listed here as well as other topics you find on Catching Health.

Listen to the episode now

• Maine Boys to Men
  Learn how Maine Boys to Men is “helping boys reach their potential to become emotionally healthy, respectful, non-violent men.”

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