Four common mistakes parents make when talking to their children about sex

For many parents, the hardest part about talking to their kids is how to start the conversation. Even in this day and age, with all the great tools to help parents navigate the discussion, there are some common mistakes many parents make when talking to their children about gender.

Four of the most common mistakes include:

1. Too late to start

Usually, parents will wait until their child reaches puberty to talk about sex and gender because then the child begins to have new behaviors and parents are worried about it.

However, this conversation should have started sooner. Parents should have a constant dialogue with their children about gender and body development from the time they are 3 years old until adulthood.

Even when your child is 3 years old, parents can discuss safety rules and basic gender knowledge.

2. Harsh judgment

Children always observe the behavior and attitude of their parents. If a child notices a parent being upset or judgmental about the behavior of others, they will be afraid to talk to their parents. For example, if a child hears from a parent that people who watch porn are “disgusting,” when they accidentally see or view any inappropriate images, they may not want to tell their parents. know for fear of being judged as “disgusting”.

Children will not be honest with their parents if they feel their parents reject or disapprove of their questions or behaviour. It is important for parents to eliminate shyness when discussing sex and gender.

3. Do not answer when asked

Children are naturally curious. It’s not uncommon for them to wonder about their bodies, their relationships, or the behaviors they see around them.

If a child asks a parent question and the parent feels uncomfortable, does not answer, or does not know the answer, it is unwise for the parent to change the subject or ignore the question.

If children feel heard and acknowledged by their parents, they will be less likely to seek answers from outside sources and more likely to look to their parents for information.

Parents should be the first and best source of information for their children. If you are not confident about that, make an appointment to answer your child at another time after searching for information through documents and books.

4. Dishonesty

Honesty is like a two-way street. If you want your children to be honest with you, be honest with them first, especially when answering sexual questions.

For example, if a 4-year-old asks, “Where do babies come from?”, a parent can simply and honestly answer, “Your body has a special place in your belly. It is called the uterus. Babies grow inside the uterus until they are ready to be born.”

In a world where children are bombarded with sexual images and messages, they deserve to receive reliable, accurate information. No one can do it better than parents.

When we try to avoid making these mistakes, children will feel more comfortable talking to their parents.

Article by the author Ariane Robinson – mother of 5 children, who majored in family and marriage. Her job is to work with families and help them strengthen relationships.

Dang Duong(According to Educate Empower Kids)