A vast majority of kids say they receive more information about sexuality from their friends, media, and school than from their own home. This is not good news because a parent is almost always the person who has the best interest of their child in mind when it comes to sexuality. We need to face the facts and deal with the issues in a healthy and beneficial way. It won't always be easy or comfortable, but the results will definitely be worth it.
Here are four critical areas parents bring to the table to help their kids develop a healthy view of their sexuality.
1. Talk. Communication is a key to developing healthy sexuality. Don't lecture your kids, but engage them in dialogue. Teach healthy sexual values as normal and natural as possible. Make your conversations age-appropriate, and talk about all aspects of sexuality over a period of time. Your ultimate goal is to bring meaning and value to their sexuality that will help them decide to live a life of God-honoring sexual integrity.
2. Role Models With Honesty and Integrity. Some of us didn't handle our hormones very well when we were young. No matter what our situation, dealing with issues honestly is the healthiest approach. You don't have to share all your "dirty laundry," but you can say that the reason you have concerns for your children is because you didn't get this kind of healthy conversation, and it affected you. Your own sexual integrity also plays a major factor. Let's face it: You can't ask your kids to live out a way of life that you aren't living yourself.
4. Grace and Forgiveness. As you talk with your children about healthy sexuality, make sure there is plenty of positive talk about grace and forgiveness. Some families mean well, but in their desperation to teach their kids values, they turn sexuality into something dirty. Don't be one of those parents. Kids need help in setting healthy, positive standards for their sexuality and relationships, and it is always more effective when surrounded with grace and forgiveness.
5. Something Is Better Than Nothing. In a world where most kids do not receive much input about sexuality from their parents, never forget the old adage, "Something is better than nothing." It is never too early to begin and never too late to start talking about this most important subject.
