Tackling Teenage Pregancy
FITC and Carol Goodyear from the Tackling Teenage Pregnancy initiative have joined forces to promote and increase awareness of the project.
TIPS TO HELP PARENTS ADVISE ABOUT SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS
It can be a tricky subject for parents but now help is at hand to guide mums and dads to talk about sex with their children and ensure they get it right from someone they trust.
This information has been developed by the Lincolnshire Tackling Teenage Pregnancy initiative. It follows a conference called RU Bothered? We Are! at which young people said they would prefer to hear about this difficult subject from their parents.
A typical comment was “I want to talk to my mum because she doesn’t make up silly stories”. However, they thought this would not be possible because of the embarrassment it would cause and so they turned to their peers even though they knew that they would not get the right information.
Here are some tips to help:
- Don’t just think someone else has talked to them about sex and relationships. Ask what they think and find out what they know
- Start early, when they ask questions like “where do babies come from?” Give simple answers that they will understand
- Avoid the lecture – particularly the one off
- Don’t assume that all young people are having sex
- Children with strong friendships who feel good about themselves and have a good relationship with their parents find it easier to say “No” when other people are trying to persuade them to do things they are unhappy about
- Use everyday situations, like going for a walk, to discuss sex and relationships with your child. This will make it feel much more part of everyday life
- Use the television; especially pop videos or soaps to bring up the subject of sex and relationships. You can then use the characters to make it less personal
- Boys often get less input. Dads need to be involved as well as mums
- It is important to talk about all sorts of relationships like lesbian, gay and bisexual
- If your children asks you a question at a time when you are unable to give an answer have a phrase up your sleeve like “that’s a good question we can talk about that later”, and remember to do that.
A Top Ten Tips leaflet is being circulated widely throughout the county. Look out for it in GP surgeries and Sure Start centres. The leaflet also suggests books, videos and websites that parents of children of all ages can go to for more information and advice.
Parent? Need to Talk? Parentline Plus, freephone: 0808 800 2222 or http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk/