by Kaye Boss

Created on: July 01, 2009   Last Updated: July 03, 2009

Imagine, just over a decade ago that young woman in front of you was a baby in your arms. You'd rock her to sleep and she would look up at you as if no other existed. You would feed her, and change her, and offer her a loving welcome into the world. She grew and many things changed. She began school, began making friends, and began dating. Now has come the time where you feel that you need to talk this young woman, once your baby girl, and discuss with her a situation that leaves you both red faced and shaking; sex.

Let me first say that there is no easy way to talk about sex with your teen-aged daughter. No matter how the situation arises or how you choose to go about discussing the situation, it's not going to be easy. There are however several tips that will make it easier for you to feel more confident and relaxed about how the situation is going. After all, you are doing the right thing by having this conversation with her, you're protecting her.

Tip#1: Know your facts. Chances are when you have this conversation, your daughter is going to have a lot of questions and you should be able to answer them for her. You should pick up several brochures and go over them with her, especially if in this same conversation you want to address other important things such as STDs or birth control. Another important part of this tip is to also be honest. Do not lead your daughter to believe all of these terrible things about sex in order to deter her from participating in it. Be honest with her because she will find out on her own if you aren't.

Tip#2: Treat your daughter as an adult. No teenager wants to sit down and talk to their parent about sex if they feel like they are in jail. A conversation about sex is to be an open conversation. If you want to promote abstinence then promote abstinence but keep in mind the raging hormones of a teenager and discuss everything.

Tip#3: Be hip! No one wants to talk about the birds and the bees and see a picture of their sexual reproductive system; that's what school is for. While brochures are beneficial, let your daughter go through them on their own then. Buy them books if it makes you feel better. There are many books available that help young women to learn about sex and everything else that will happen to their bodies during their coming years. When your daughter talks to you, you should not act like a text book. Be the loving, caring human that you are.

As I said, talking about sex is not easy at any age or time for a parent and their child but it is essential to the health of the teenager. Just remember that having this conversation is important and something that cannot be avoided unless you want your baby bringing another baby into the world before the age of twenty. So take a deep breath, be you and talk!

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