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Sex Education Talk

By Iris Farrou 09 May, 2023 Early Childhood Education, Fatherhood, Parenting, Queer Health, Reproductive health, Sexual health, Toddler Health, Women's Health, Young adults & teens Adolescents, body positivity, Hormone Changes in Children, How to explain sex, How to teach children about sex, Parenting Preteens, Preteen, Safe Sex for Teens, Self-Stimulation, Sex Ed, Sexual Education for Toddlers, Teaching Boundaries, Tween, When should I explain sex, Where do babies come from

If you are parenting a teenager, you are probably thinking of when would be the right time to have “the talk.” Well, the time starts when curiosity strikes in their toddler years! You don’t have to turn back time, but if you are a new parent you may want to start taking notes: it is never too early to start talking to your children about sex education, their bodies, and relationships. Consider sex education a broad subject, and not just an awkward talk about hormone-driven intimate moments.

Sex education includes talking with your children about anatomy, teaching them the proper names for their body parts as soon as they start making associations between items and words, educating them on how to take care of themselves and their bodily functions, and being by their side when they start being able to express their feelings and/or they start to understand themselves in relation to others; relationships and boundaries are also part of sex education.

Early Exploration

It is best to let your toddler set the time for questions regarding anatomy and sex, but you should also be aware of what questions may be opportunities for further discussions. For example, during bath time you can take the opportunity to talk with your child about their anatomy, and which parts of the body are private. Keep your answers short and simple, and age appropriate– if your child seems confused about something, don’t be embarrassed to explain further. You are, after all, the role model: the more maturely you approach the conversation, the more secure your child will feel about your knowledge.

Curiosity

It is not uncommon for toddlers to express their natural curiosity through self-stimulation. If you notice your child engaging with their genitals, it is advised to encourage their curiosity while also reminding them that some acts and areas of the body are private. This self exploration may coincide with curiosity about others, which can lead to uncomfortable social interactions. If your child asks about pregnancy or “where do babies come from” in front of others, it’s ok to take a moment in a social setting to explain some things to them. Should the question have made someone else uncomfortable, take the opportunity to apologize on behalf of your child, and model boundary-respectful behavior for them. It is also normal during this time for children to want to play doctor with their friends, and many families choose to monitor their children’s play time at this stage of their development, or set limits.

New Knowledge

As much as you may try to be open with your child and monitor their knowledge of sex education matters, you should be aware that new knowledge always finds its way to young children. Unfortunately, new knowledge may not always come from reputable sources or be truthful and accurate. If your child asks you a question that seems off, or hasn’t been discussed in your household, the best course of action would be to ask them where they heard that, or try to locate the source of the information. Then, you could ask them to share what they already know about the topic and begin a conversation with them. It is important to let your child know you are comfortable with those questions, knowledgeable on the topics, and that they can trust you with their curiosity.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/sex-education/art-20044104

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/parents/tips-talking

Body Positivity: How to Love Your Body and Inspire Your Daughter to Do the Same

By admin 03 May, 2018 Women's Health body image, body positive, body positivity, how to love your body, love your body

Little girl hugging herself As a woman raising a daughter, you want her to grow into a confident, capable, and healthy woman. After all, in your mind, she is the most beautiful and exceptional girl in the world, and she should realize that too. Understand, however, that your beliefs, attitudes, and comments about your own body are some of the most impactful factors that will dictate how your daughter feels about her own. According to a report by Common Sense Media, five to eight-year-olds who think their mothers are unhappy with their bodies are more likely to feel dissatisfied with their bodies in return. With swimsuit season quickly approaching, now more than ever, learn to break the habit of negative self-image talk and be the confident woman you hope your daughter will be one day too. Keep reading for five tips for learning to be body positive.

Accept that What You See in the Media is Not a Standard to Which You Should Aspire. Your Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook feeds are likely full of images of celebrities, social media personalities, and even acquaintances who appear to be thinner, fitter, and happier than you. Remind yourself that what you see is only a curated compilation of moments in time and that you don’t have to be waiflike to be happy—because most women aren’t rail thin, and those who are, may not be healthy, or nearly as happy as they appear in your social stream.
Talk to Your Body Like It’s Your Friend. If your friend were having a bad day, and feeling bad about herself, you wouldn’t agree or toss further insults at her. You’d pick her back up on her feet and remind her of all of her unique qualities. Do the same for your body. After all, you’re going to be together for a long time.
Spread Your Positivity Around. If you find yourself criticizing yourself, that negativity could manifest into how you perceive others as well. Don’t let yourself become so obsessed with weight, body types, or small insignificant physical details that you find yourself thinking (or saying!) negative comments about other people’s bodies. By remaining positive about others, you will find ways to be positive about yourself. And by being positive about yourself, you will effortlessly be positive about others. It’s a happy cycle.
Forgive Yourself. If you are trying to eat healthily, go to yoga class, and drink plenty of water, but find it’s not always easy to be consistent while you are running around after your toddler and doing double duty as a mom and a dedicated employee, give yourself a break. Cheat on your diet one day? Forgive yourself and recommit tomorrow. Haven’t seen the scale budge in weeks? Don’t let that be a reason to stop trying to make healthy choices. Forgiveness is an essential predecessor to acceptance, which is a critical step toward happiness.
Surround Yourself with Positive People. The people in your life can have a detrimental impact on your happiness if they are highly critical, self-deprecating, and unsupportive. You don’t need that level of negativity in your life. By surrounding yourself with people who share your values and appreciation for maintaining a positive body image, you will find that even on a bad day, you have the motivation to remain positive.

Remember, your body image doesn’t only impact you; it affects your daughter too. Be the confident, accepting woman you want your daughter to be, and you’ll both live happy, healthy lives.

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