Get Advice on How to Talk to Your Child About Sex With These Videos
We tend to think of Conversation as one very awkward conversation in which your parents sit you down to tell you about sex (you already know what it is) and strongly advise you not to have it (you may already have). But now we know that Conversation is actually a series of conversations that focus not only on sex, but also on gender, consent, depression, bullying, masturbation, and pornography.
It seems a little overwhelming, doesn’t it? If you’re not sure where to start – or what topics you should cover – this age guide video from Amaze will help.
Sponsored by the nonprofit Advocates for Youth in partnership with Answer and Youth Tech Health, Amaze has created many resources for parents and children to navigate a variety of sensitive topics. Its Age Guide is especially helpful as it categorizes dozens of videos for people ages 3+, 5+, 7+, 10+, 13+, and for caregivers. Topics include:
- Where do babies come from?
- What is the difference between the bodies of boys and girls
- Why it is so important to keep personal details private
- Floor
- Body changes
- Menstruation
- Depression and emotions
- Puberty and transgender youth
- Sexual orientation
These conversations should be started early and consistently as the children get older and have more questions. And, of course, they can feel uncomfortable. Especially if a parent or guardian has never spoken to you about it, it can be difficult to figure out how to strike up a conversation. That’s why Amaze also created this Conversations resource to start relevant and effective conversations with our older kids on topics such as masturbation, puberty, porn, and relationships.
Each topic includes a video message for parents from a sex education expert, as well as guides with general conversation tips, conversation starters, and key messaging scenarios.
But don’t push yourself too hard to get it “right” the first time. Remember, the goal is not to dump information on children; it is to open up a dialogue and create a dynamic in which they feel comfortable asking you questions.