• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Because dads don’t always think like moms™

  • Dad
    • Celebrities
    • Gay Dads
    • Sex
    • Single Dads
  • Pregnancy
    • Labor or Delivery
    • Pregnant Wife
  • Baby
    • Baby Naming
    • Feeding
    • Sleep
    • Toilet Training
  • Kids
  • Teens
  • Activities
    • Local
    • By Age
    • Movie Reviews
    • Celebrations
  • Toys
    • We Recommend
    • Toys
  • Coaching for Dads
  • Great Dad Talks Podcast

Tonight’s Dinner Includes Pizza and a Sex Talk

September 9, 2008 by GreatDad Writers Leave a Comment

Figuring out how to talk to your child about sex is difficult. Having a conventional “birds and bees” chat over milk and cookies is a far-fetched dream for most American families. Do you casually bring up sex during mealtime conversation about soccer practice and a math test? Do you sit your child down face-to-face and have a serious health talk?

Addressing sexuality issues with your teen tends to be one of the most challenging aspects of parenting teenagers. When is the appropriate age to have the talk? You don’t want to bring it up too early when the child won’t think it’s a pertinent topic. But if you wait too long then you’ll be too late, and your teen might have already received negative messages from the media and his peers.

If you’re not sure where to begin then here are some guidelines on how to discuss sex with your teenager:

It’s not a one-shot deal

Don’t think there has to be one end-all be-all conversation between you and your child about sex. The topic should be an ongoing discussion, as a child will be exposed to sex repeatedly and from different angles.

Speak your mind

Your child will learn a lot about sex from television, movies, and magazines. So make your voice heard and let your child know how you feel about what both of you are seeing, hearing, and reading. To make it relevant, you can discuss young celebrities who are pregnant and movies that depict scenes of casual sex. Express your morals so your child knows exactly where you stand.

Teens choose their choices

As much as parents want to shield their child from the prospective dangers of sex, ultimately it is the teen’s decision as to when he has sex and with whom. As a parent, initiate open conversations about safety precautions and consequences, but you need to try to respect your child’s choices and his sexual development. You don’t want to create an environment in your home where your teen feels like he has to hide his sexual decisions.

Trust yourself

You are the adult. You’ve had sex. Believe in your opinions and share them. Be confident and feel comfortable. If you are anxious then your child will think that any chat about sex will be stressful. Don’t instill the fear factor in your child by preaching about the prevalence of teenage pregnancy. Be rational, not extreme. If you teach respect then your child will practice it. If you encourage responsibility then your child will follow.

Filed Under: Teens

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Great Dad Talks

Great Dad Talks
Great Dad Talks

Great Dad Talks is a series of conversations with experts on all aspects of the family adventure. With the perspective that “dads don’t always think like moms,” our mission is to support dad voices and our slightly different approaches to parenting. We’ll try to find solutions to every day challenges like getting kids off the couch and making STEM classes available for both boys and girls. But we’ll also tackle bigger issues when they come. The one main theme will be to support dads in the most important role of their lives that of being a great dad.

Connect with us at greatdad.com and watch the video version of these podcasts at YouTube.com/greatdadnews

Hacking Life After 50 with Mark Barnes
byPaul Banas

Tune in to this episode with guest Mark Barnes and delve into the topics of finding purpose, setting goals, and navigating life transitions. Mark shares his insights and personal experiences on how dads can continue to thrive and find fulfillment as their children grow up and their own lives shift. From planning for the future to staying curious and staying in shape, Mark provides valuable advice and strategies for dads in different stages of life.

Navigate life’s transitions with purpose and fulfillment by visiting Mark’s website: 10publications.com

Visit these links and embark on the path to becoming the best parent you can be:

  • GreatDad.com/coaching
  • GreatDad.com/pq
  • Gratitude course: bit.ly/3NMLDNC 50% off for podcast listeners with code PODCAST50
Hacking Life After 50 with Mark Barnes
Hacking Life After 50 with Mark Barnes
September 26, 2023
Paul Banas
Building Authentic Connections with Ron Macklin
September 19, 2023
Paul Banas
Navigating College Admissions with Dr. Kuni Beasley
September 12, 2023
Paul Banas
Longevity and Healthy Aging with Al Lyman
September 7, 2023
Paul Banas
Balancing Entrepreneurship and Fatherhood with Cory Rankin
August 31, 2023
Paul Banas
The Role of Fathers in Parenting with Brent Dowlen
August 31, 2023
Paul Banas
Empowering Kids Through Sports with Antwaun Thompson
August 24, 2023
Paul Banas
Promoting Healthy Screen Time Habits with Hamel Shah
August 15, 2023
Paul Banas
Building Strong Connections through Family Meals with Jeff Christian
August 11, 2023
Paul Banas
Supporting Kids Through Sports with Michael Hubicki
August 1, 2023
Paul Banas
Search Results placeholder

More to See

How Podcasting Can Help Entrepreneurs with Evans Putnam

September 2, 2023 By Paul Banas

Making Financial Decisions with Jasper Smith

July 20, 2023 By Paul Banas

Copyright © 2023 . GreatDad