Talk soon. Talk often.
Parents will answer thousands of questions from their children, but the ones about sexuality and relationships are often the most challenging to answer. Some parents can be so worried about giving an absolutely perfect answer that they end up saying nothing at all.
You and your family are the most important source of sexuality and relationship information for your children. More than anyone else, you will lay the foundations for well adjusted, confident and healthy children who go on to experience positive relationships.
So what is the best way to handle these very important questions? It's simple - talking a little and often makes a positive difference to your child's sexual health.
In response to advice that parents needed support in their role as the primary sex educators of their children, WA Health has developed Talk Soon Talk Often. A guide for parents talking to their kids about sex.
This free resource has been developed to help parents initiate regular and relaxed conversations with their children about sexuality and relationships.
Well informed parents who are confident and comfortable when discussing their values about sexuality and relationships contribute greatly to positive sexual health communication with their children.
The resource also offers support for parents in helping their children understand the public nature of digitally transferred information such as Facebook, sex and the law, preventing child sexual abuse, and how to discuss their beliefs about pornography.
Talk Soon. Talk Often. A guide for parents talking to their kids about sex can be ordered or downloaded from: www.public.health.wa.gov.au
For further information or to submit a story idea, please contact communications@health.wa.gov.au