How to Have Ongoing Conversations with Your Kids About Sex

Have you had “The Talk” with your children?

Yes, that talk – the one about sex.

When the time came for me to talk with my oldest son, Trent, I was pretty nervous. Sex can be uncomfortable for two adults to talk about openly, let alone a child. Nevertheless, I was pushed forward.

After explaining the sacredness of human sexuality, I carefully described, in simple and age-appropriate terms, the basic mechanics of sex. When I finished, Trent was awfully quiet. He finally looked up at me and said, “That is weird! That is really weird!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. His reaction was a beautiful moment for me because it meant he wasn’t introduced to this life-changing issue from kids at school, television, or vulgar music lyrics. It was from me, his father.

How do parents get their children to see them as the most reliable source of information about sex and sexuality? Author and speaker Jonathan McKee is with me on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly to help parents talk with confidence to their children about confusing and difficult questions about sex.

Jonathan regularly hears from parents who joke that should move their family to Amish Pennsylvania to escape the culture’s poor messaging about sex. He replies that he once spoke at a church in Lancaster County – a conservative Mennonite Brethren church – and learned the parents shared similar concerns for their children.

Jonathon shares how to communicate the truth about healthy sexuality by:

Opening the doors of communication.
Creating a comfortable climate of continual, ongoing conversation.
Interacting, not overreacting.
Encouraging your children to wait for sex.
Remembering important keys to having “The Talk” with girls.
Remembering keys to having “The Talk” with boys.

Parents, I’m right there with you. “The Talk” can be awkward – for the child and for you. But I encourage you to take a deep breath and go for it! It could be one of the greatest gifts you can give to your child at the onset of their teen years.

This program isn’t graphic, but it’s probably not suitable for younger children, so please use your discretion and occupy your kids elsewhere, or listen later on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, or on our free phone app.

Before I close, I’d like to extend an invitation for you to become a special partner with us through our monthly “Friends of Focus on the Family” program. When you do, I’ll send you a copy of Jonathon McKee’s book More Than Just the Talk: Becoming Your Kids’ Go-To Person About Sex as a way of saying thank you for touching others with the love of Christ. You’ll also receive member-exclusive benefits. To make your pledge, or for more information, click here or call 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).