To talk about sex with Children is a difficult task for parents. Many times you must have ignored the discussion with the help of the old story of ‘birds and bees’. Curiosity about sex is a normal part of the child development. It’s for the parents to handle their queries in the age appropriate way. Instead of running from kids in relation to this topic, parents must create an open climate for discussion about sex. It is very important for child’s development of healthy attitude about sex and sexuality.
Children usually learn about sexuality from their parents, either by watching their parents interact or by listening to them. They also observe how they react to sexual behavior and messages in television and movies etc. Parents with healthy attitude about sex likely pass the same to their children. Parents, who avoid discussing about sex with their children, get the idea that sex is bad and they might seek information from somewhere else, and that information may be misleading for them.
Here are certain things that parents must consider with regards to discussion about sex with children-
- While discussing sex, parents must keep in mind child’s maturity level. While talking with younger children, language must be kept simple and sentences short. Children who have had discussion with their parents are more comfortable with the subject and are more likely to approach their parents for asking anything related to it.
- Parents must show that they are always available for the children. Let them know in words and actions, so they can approach you with their doubts about the topic.
- When children enter puberty, parents can talk about changes in their body like voice change, breast development etc. and you can take the opportunity to talk about the changes that take place in one's body during adolescence.
- Parents should understand that their children need privacy too. Also, they must respect their children’s privacy and teach him to respect others. At the same time, they should teach their children to respect privacy of their parents as well.
- Parents must explain sex differences to children, especially pre-school children are curious about the differences between boys and girls. Parents ought to explain these differences to their kids.
- Answer their queries about sex directly and honestly. Children can often sense that their questions are being evaded and they are being told untruth. Children may likely begin to feel that their parents are not to be trusted.
