Imagine a
parent of a pre-teen who is about to have “The Talk” with him/her. Please write
the scenario (where/when/how) the talk would take place and exactly what the
parent should say. Include any resources the parent might recommend to the
pre-teen, or questions (and their answers) the parent should anticipate.
Growing up, I never really had “ the talk” with my parents.
However, the best time for kids to have the talk is before they teenagers. Much
like many health concepts, early preparation is the key when talking about
their growing bodies. Personally, I started developing at age 9 and had a hard
time grasping some of these concepts at the time. However, I grew up in a
Christian home and my mother was always willing to talk to my sister and I
about our changing bodies. As a
Christian, I heavily lean on the Bible as my source of wisdom for discussions
on sex, but I know there are several other sources available for us to draw
wisdom from such as Chicken Noodle Soup
for the Soul books. My biggest advice is to pay attention to what your children are learning from the media,
society and their peers. One website
that I found beneficial for the time I have children is http://www.havingthetalk.com/ . This
website provides several resources to help aid both parents and kids. Remember,
“ the talk” should never be stressful, but it is important for your child to be
well informed and prepared about their bodies changes and their reactions
toward them.
Kristen,
ReplyDeleteI was able to read your post and I must say that it is highly essential for parents and children to discuss the various changes that take place in our bodies when growing up. In your post you mentioned that parents should pay attention to where their children gain information about sex and understanding physical changes.
The media is one source that often causes stress and confusion among some children especially those who develop early. It seems that many parents often feel uncomfortable discussing such matters with their children or some may not have time. Which usually results in children turning to the media and their peers for such information. It would be recommended should parents encounter these issues certain strategies such as the ones you mentioned can be used to supplement and relieve the tension that comes with this discussion.