Raising Sexually Healthy Children - 10 Ways to Help Your Children Grow Up Sexually Healthy

• Remember that learning about sexuality starts at birth.
• However, it's never too late to start teaching your children how to be sexually healthy.
  
  
• Understand that the process of developing one's sexual identity begins by the age of 5.
• Sexual identity is understanding one's attraction to others - that could be opposite sex, same sex or both.
  
  
• Use the correct words for body parts and functions to help children respect and take care of their bodies.
• You don't have to know everything in advance. Look up answers together.
  
  
• Use positive touch to give your children feelings of closeness, comfort, security and safety. For example:
• holding hands
• cuddles and hugs
• back and foot massages
  
  
• Share your values with your children and why they are important to you.
• Knowing your values helps your children to develop their own.
  
  
• Talk to your children about the behaviours you expect and their responsibilities.
  
  
• Teach them to think about what they say and do, how it makes others feel.
  
  
• Teach your children to use assertive communication to express feelings, resist pressure and protect themselves.
  
  
• Talk to your children about sexual abuse and how to protect themselves.
  
  
• Give girls and boys the same respect and opportunities.
• Treating girls and boys differently can affect how capable they feel.

Related Links

• Why Teens, Even Pre-Teens, Are at Risk for Unwanted Consequences of Sex
• What Messages about Sexuality do you Want to Give your Children and Teens?
• How to Be an "Askable" Parent
• Why Teens, Even Pre-Teens, Are at Risk for Unwanted Consequences of Sex
• 12 Ways to Help Your Teenager Grow Up Sexually Healthy
• The 4-Point Plan - Answering Questions About Sexuality
• If You Want to Know More
• Sexual Development: What to Expect
• Media Messages About Sexuality