This is a guest post written by Paige Jirsa, who works with https://stdtestingfacilities.com/, which provides users same day STD testing in a discrete and proficient manner.
Having "the talk" with your teenager seems a daunting task to most
parents. It doesn't have to be - and, in fact, shouldn't be - the
terribly awkward experience it is sometimes made out to be. The most
important thing in approaching this conversation is to be prepared, to
know what to say and how to say it. This will not, of course, make the
conversation entirely enjoyable, let alone comfortable, but it will make
it easier for both parent and child.
Before talking to your child about sex, figure out what, exactly,
you plan to talk about. Think about the things you think are important
to discuss, and think of the questions your teenager might ask so that
you can be ready with answers.
Most teenagers have an idea of
what sex is, and there's no reason to put your child, or yourself,
through a detailed description of the mechanics of sex. What then,
exactly, should you include in the talk?
Choosing When, and Why, to Have Sex
When talking to your child about sex, it's a good idea to first discuss
what it means to have sex. Simply stated, sex is something special
shared between two people who feel strongly toward one another. It may
seem scandalous, it may seem exciting, but it is nothing more and
nothing less than means of expressing affection and spending time with
someone you like and care for deeply. Just as you wouldn't share your
secrets and bare your soul with anyone you didn't sincerely trust and
feel comfortable being vulnerable with, so shouldn't you bare your body
to someone with whom you do not share a deep level of commitment.
If you are in a committed relationship with someone you like, care for,
and trust, sex can be a wonderful expression of your feelings. If you
are in such a relationship, however, that doesn't mean that you should
have sex. If your partner is ready to have sex and you aren't, you need
to communicate your feelings and your reservations clearly. A
relationship in which one partner attempts, successfully or not, to
convince the other to have sex when they aren’t ready is not a healthy
relationship.
Safe Sex
Understanding how to practice safe sex is as important
as understanding the emotion behind it. It is important to be entirely
clear in describing to your teenager the potential harm that may come
from unsafe sex, including STDs, STIs, and pregnancy. Teenagers need to
know that these outcomes are not circumstances of bad luck but entirely
real, and avoidable, possibilities.
Discuss with your child, too, the
different types of contraception and where they can be found, as well as
where he or she can go if they suspect they have been exposed to a
sexually transmitted disease or infection. Providing your child with
information on how to prevent such transmission as well as resources and
places to help, including STD testing facilities will empower them to
practice safe sex.
