October is "Let's Talk" Month

A recent article titled "Parents encouraged to talk to teens about preventing teen pregnancy" reminds readers that according to the "National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, teens report that their parents influence their decisions about sex more than their friends, the media, or their siblings."

You, the parent, can make a difference!

The article says that

• "research shows that families that engage in regular, honest conversations about healthy relationships and sexual decision-making are an important part of preventing teen pregnancy."
• "a majority of teens agree that it would be easier for them to postpone sexual activity and avoid teen pregnancy if they were able to have more open, honest conversations about these topics with their parents."
• “Kids who understand their parents’ beliefs and expectations are more likely to go along with those beliefs,” said Henderson-Shuppy.
• Parents can initiate conversations with simple questions such as, “What is the right age to begin dating?” or “How do you know if you’re in love?”"

So talk to your teens. And listen to your teens! Questions to get the conversation rolling:
-What makes a relationship healthy?
-What makes a relationship unhealthy?
-When is someone ready to have sex?
-Explain your beliefs and expectations about sex. Explain WHY you believe that way, and WHY you hold those expectations. Then ask what your teens think.
-What is love?
-What is infatuation?
-How can you tell the difference between love and infatuation?