Article from Barbara Kasey Smith’s Corner of the World.
It is my opinion it’s important that parents are the adults who open up discussions about sex and drugs with their children. Don’t wait for another adult or teacher to take the necessary actions to discuss these issues with them but take an initiative yourself. It’s also good for children to hear it in their schools too but the parent should be the first one to discuss it. Children require a parent who they know loves them and will be open and honest with them about the information being provided to them.
It’s my opinion parents should collect and distribute educational books, brochures, literature, etc., with their children as they begin to discuss these issues. Have an open session to go through the books and brochures together to discuss every subject with them and take the time to listen and to elaborate an opinion.
Don’t be shy and afraid to answer with the appropriate answers; if you’re not going to properly answer the question, then have your spouse do it. It’s okay to be blunt and truthful because children hear all about sex early in their lives from their friends and peers and most of the time the information provided is not right. If they’re old enough to ask a question, a parent should be effective when they answer and not paint it as rose colored glasses they’ll see through.
When parents hide information about sex and drugs and they make it appear to be a secretive subject, it causes children to be more curious about them; and in some cases, they’ll begin to experiment to get the appropriate answers they want to hear. Parents should be open, honest, serious, and calm as they speak with their children, and when they are, it’ll make them feel comfortable about the issues, it’ll leave an impression and draw them to their parents and not run them away.
Parents should also point out to their children that sex is considered sacred and it’s not to be used for popularity, to get or to keep a boyfriend, to win a contest, sold, or for any reason except for the commitment of marriage. The discussion should also include information about the female and male reproduction organs, menstrual cycles, how babies are conceived, and all about child birth.
Parents should discuss in-depth about venereal diseases, providing them with the different names and types of diseases too. Advise them that abstinence is the best way to go but if they do not choose abstinence as a form of birth control than protection is a must and tell them the choices they can pursue.
Parents should hand out literature and brochures describing as many of the drugs that they can and how they affect a person’s mind and body. They should schedule their child to attend lectures pertaining to drug use and drug addiction. Parents should provide all the necessary tools required for their children about how quickly a person can become addicted to drugs.
Peers and friends have a big influence on children and parents should monitor who their children are choosing to hang out with; and if they’re not the right type of person(s), get them away for them.
Parent should trust their children but they should also monitor their comings and goings and not allow them to have a free rein to come and go as they please. Once a parent has taken these precautions, they can hope their children will abide by their teachings and become mature and well-rounded adults.
Sole Writer of the Information provided is Barbara Kasey Smith, it is her sole opinion.
Copyright 2012 – Use by Permission Only. The article is based on Barbara’s own opinion.