Question

I have two pre-teen girls. I want them to be aware of the risks of sex, but don’t want to terrify them. How do I keep them safe without screwing them up?

Answer

When it comes to raising sexually healthy kids, parents often forget that they already have skills to do this. Sexual health is part of overall health. Would you know how to answer this question: how can you raise kids so that they enjoy cooking but also keep them from burning themselves on the stove?

Of course sex is different than cooking in pretty significant ways, but my point is that it’s not magic and there’s no trick to it. If you believe that sexuality is an important, healthy and even beautiful part of human experience, then try to remember that as you’re raising your kids. You can teach them how to keep themselves safe and always include information and messages about how physical and sexual pleasure is an important and healthy part of life, at every age. It’s easier to only focus on the risks and never talk about the rewards. But you’re only giving your kids half the story.

Photo by pocketwiley, via Flickr (CC)