It’s necessary for parents / guardians to share how they talk about sex with their children and why it’s more important than ever to keep it real.
- Don’t Ever Pretend You Were Perfect
“It’s about providing honest examples of your personal decision making at their age, talking ‘their language’ and not sugar coating anything. Explain that there is more to giving up your virginity than the possibility of getting pregnant. Discuss that there are diseases and their innocence, because at the end of the day, the game changes.
- Encourage Openness
Teach your kids first about open communication explaining to them that they can talk to you about anything.
- Be Direct
“As a parent you have to be realistic about what your kids/ teen is facing (peer pressure, media, music and hormones!). Talk with him/her about abstaining and that his/her body is special. However, ensure that he/she has facts.
- Bring Up Abstinence
“Just keep an open line of honest communication on abstinence and all forms of protection, the emotional responsibilities that come with having sex as a teenager and the consequences of failed birth control and STD protection. Lots of prayer.
- Tell the Boys How Special They Are Too
Teaching them that what you have and who you are is very special and only that special person is worthy of it. Tell them abstinence is the best, but if you do have sex please always protect yourself, because there are consequences with every act.
- Be a Friend and a Parent and Get Visual
Always tell them that sex can be a beautiful thing when you’re with the right person. They should come talk to you so you guys can go over all the pros and cons again and make sure they are prepared for what sex brings. They know that when a girl hits puberty she can then have children if she’s having sex.
- Stress Responsibility
Continue to teach your kids about responsibility. They are 18 and 20 and If they do choose to have sex, to make sure they are responsible for protecting themselves always and not to depend on anyone else to do that for them. Tell them to be smart about who they choose, understanding as much as possible that sex with anyone is a big deal and if handled inappropriately it can cause big problems for the rest of their lives.