How to have "The Talk" with Your Kids

Katrina School Children

No matter how close your family is, talking about certain issues just isn’t easy—it’s uncomfortable for the parents and awkward for the kids. But, keeping an open relationship and encouraging your kids to ask anything, is more important than you might think. Based on Facebook responses and general surveys, there are two big areas that make parents stumble over their words and that kids just don’t want to talk about.

“What do you think the hardest topics to talk to your kids about? …Sex.”

When 2 people really love each other…well see there’s a stork…so the birds and the bees…

Those are all options David Depriest considered when he had to have "the talk" with his grandson.

“He is starting to get into puberty and is starting to notice some things ...and wanting to play outside in the yard is being replaced slowly,” said David Depriest.

Parents don't know exactly how to explain sex, but they know kids talk.

“They hear other kids oh we did this, oh we did that and they have one person telling them one thing and we trying to tell them, teach em and tell them a different thing,” said Aurienta Douglas.

“When you’re young, you don’t think you parents know anything. You just think, oh they forgot stuff, okay lets just go ask our friends” said Lance Depriest.

So as parents, what are you supposed to do?

“Get educated yourself. Sit there and approach your child so that when your child does talk to you, you know what they are talking about without them telling you you're stupid or you don't understand,” said Tanya Gardner, the Parent Project.

Before talking to your kids, do your homework, research online, then have your kids sit and read with you. Try to focus on causes and effects, like what could happen if you have sex without protection. Most importantly, learn today’s lingo, so you avoid conversations like this.

“Kids coming in with STIs, STDs…what’s that? Sexually transmitted diseases daddy…oh, I didn’t know that,” said David Depriest.

Keeping the line of communication open is key.

“Let them know that if you do hear something on the news or somewhere to start a conversation about it. How do you feel about it?” said Gardner.

“Even if they don’t respond make them sit there and if you’ve got to do all the talking, just keep talking,” said Douglas.

Talk now. Would you rather explain the purpose of a condom or teach them how to put on a diaper?

If it's almost time for you to have "the talk" with your kids and you want more help on how to tackle the subject, contact the Parent Project at (334) 712-1542.

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