Sex

Sex is a topic that can cause parents great concern. Parents worry about pregnancy, STDs and the emotional well-being of their children.

What can you do as the parent? Again, the first answer to this question is always to refrain from the Deadly Habits. Know that blaming, complaining, criticizing, nagging, guilting, coercing, threatening, and punishing will likely be unsuccessful. You may be able to prevent your child from having sex if you are willing to monitor his or her every movement.

Having an influential relationship with your child is your best advantage. Being able to talk to your child about your concerns and sharing your values about sexuality is critical. This can start early. As soon as your child begins to ask questions of a sexual nature, such as, “Where do babies come from?” you can provide answers. I’m not suggesting you give a three year-old a lesson about sperm, the egg and intercourse, however, if a child is mature enough to formulate the question, then he or she deserves an honest answer. Provide just the information he or she is asking for.

You have a set of values about sexuality. You may remember what you were doing at your child’s age and the thought of him or her doing the same has you terrified. You may want to espouse a value system different from the one you had as a teen, or perhaps you have become more religious as a parent and want your child to wait until marriage to engage in intercourse.

Whatever your values, you are entitled to them. They are absolutely the correct values for you at this time. As a parent you have the right to share your value system with your child in the hope that he or she will adopt a set of values similar to yours. However, understand you can’t force your child to believe in and value what you do. You can only guide and influence.

Get involved with your child’s friends. Ask your child to invite his or her friends to your home so you can get to know them. Take a particular interest in special friends your child has of the opposite sex.

The idea is that you want your child to know you care about them, support them and have their best interests at heart so when they are thinking of making a major decision he or she will want to discuss it with you first.

For more information about this subject check out our Empowerment Parenting Home Study Course or eBook