For Parents
Are you an "Askable Parent"?
Parents are the PRIMARY sexuality educators of their Children.
Many parents avoid talking openly about sex and health with their children because they're embarrassed or don't know how to start the conversation. But not having these important discussions leaves children vulnerable to the unrealistic sexual messages they get from advertising, music and videos every day.
Your children's best, most accurate source of information about sexuliaty is you -- their parent.
Only through you will they be able to separate fact from fiction.
Only you can convey your values about healthy sexuality and loving relationships.
Time and again we hear from teens that they really want guidance about sexuality from their parents -- the people they love and trust -- to give them the real information for their real lives.
Teens don't want a lecture, and they often are as embarrassed as you are about the conversation. What they want and need is support to make healthy decisions as they make their way into adulthood.
And don't forget to talk with other parents and members of the community about the importance of family communication about sexuality and sexual health. Most adults want their kids to learn about these things, but they don't often talk with other parents about their concerns for their children's sexuality education. Other parents and community members can serve as a good base of support in having this important conversation and can begin to correct the unrealistic and unhealthy sexual messages our children receive every day. Find out waht your kids are learning about sex in their schools, their youth programs, and their churches. You may be suprised at what is, or isn't, being taught.
PPNCB Has Resources to Help
For many parents, it is uncomfortable to talk about sex-especially with our children. We may not even know how to begin. Planned Parenthood of Nebraska and Council Bluffs can help! The PPNCB Education Department offers a wide range of resources to help parents talk to their kids about sex and sexuality issues. The right hand column lists some of our most popular resources.
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