{"id":18284,"date":"2020-10-02T10:02:54","date_gmt":"2020-10-02T08:02:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=18284"},"modified":"2020-10-02T10:02:54","modified_gmt":"2020-10-02T08:02:54","slug":"sex-talk-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/sex-talk-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving Past \u201cThe Sex Talk\u201d: Kids and Communication About Sex"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let\u2019s face it, growing up most of us had to answer our sex questions by scouring the internet or relying on older siblings\u2019 and peers\u2019 sometimes questionable expertise. If you were lucky enough to have parents that gave you the \u201csex talk\u201d, it was probably laced with awkwardness and a needing to tune out what information you were being given.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not only that, but the idea that a \u201csex talk\u201d has to be this big momentous occasion at the peak of puberty emphasizes the already taboo nature of one of the most common aspects of being human.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019re here to offer an alternative to this outdated practice. So feel free to comb over these ideas, taking what resonates with you, and reshaping how we approach sex education with younger generations. Whether you take this as healing practice for your teen self, as practical information for your present or future kids, or to share with family and friends who have kids of their own – this is for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Start Em\u2019 Young<\/b><\/p>\n

Moving away from this idea of having a coming of age sex talk, means learning how to integrate sexual education into everyday conversations. Instead of shying away from it or using euphemisms, be developmentally appropriate, yet candid about this very normal part of being human.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One way to do this is by talking about reproductive organs openly when discussing anatomy. This can be done with babies and toddlers. Imagine you\u2019re singing \u201chead shoulders knees and toes\u201d, and adding in penis or vagina to the song. Simple as that. There you are normalizing sexual education!<\/span><\/p>\n

Not Just The Birds and The Bees<\/b><\/p>\n

Sexual education isn\u2019t just about learning the ins and outs of sex. Couldn\u2019t resist that Dad joke.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other crucial topics to integrate into your children\u2019s learning experience are understanding <\/span>consent<\/span><\/a> – teaching young children to ask permission before touching people\u2019s bodies, and that they can say no to other people touching them. Try normalizing ideas around reproductive health including vaginal care and imbalances, STIs, as well as pregnancy and its many outcomes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Approaching sexual education with a holistic lens helps your children see how it integrates into every part of being human, which helps to normalize sex even further.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Check Your Biases<\/b><\/p>\n

This is so difficult because, for the most part, we don\u2019t know where our blinds spots are until we know. You can start to break these down by asking yourself some questions.<\/span><\/p>\n