Sex is A Big Deal, The Talk is Not

Do you remember an instance when mom or dad sat you down to discuss the birds and the bees? Well studies show that "the talk" is not as embarrassing as it used to be. That dreaded convo has become a casual chat among teens and parents.

TIME recently published an article on how a child's relationship with their parents and openness on the subject of sex is beneficial for their personal growth and social development. Now, more than ever, parents need to be the #1 trusted source for information about sex. The media does not always portray reality, and sex is no exception.

Talking to your kids before they actually become teenagers is crucial to opening up the lines of communication for future conversations. Obviously hit the basic topics like puberty, peer pressure, and staying safe online. However, we know it might be more difficult to discuss the harder issues. Things like valuing their body, STDs, and using protection will be awkward to initiate in conversation. But it will also be easier to talk about once you get the ball rolling too.

It doesn't need to be a big production. Just take advantage of the little moments with your child to bring it up. Watch TV with them. Make sure what they see is appropriate. If it's not, explain why it's inappropriate and ask them what they're thinking. You don't know what their friends at school say about sex. You just want to be sure that your words are the ones they think about.