by Gabby Bugwadia

Created on: March 15, 2010   Last Updated: March 16, 2010

Indeed, life would be so much easier for parents if they knew when their teen is ready for sex. But of course, all teens are not the same; to some readiness comes earlier while others are inclined to wait. It all depends on several factors.

Today, most parents who are committed to establishing a strong relationship with their teens harbor a sense of anxiety and are worrisome about their teens. They fear that their children may lack a sense of moral and ethical responsibility as they reach puberty and become sexually mature.

Although a teen might be well-adjusted, there are things like peer pressure, that may trigger disharmony between the teen and parents. However, parents who have created the right climate at home, who have instilled moral values in their children and educated them on the dangers of early sex, can be secure that their teen will automatically know when the right time comes.

Some of the important indicators of a teen's progression toward maturity are a teen's first date, or first driver's license or the first job. These are most critical first steps and signs of significant changes including physical, social, and emotional and sexual.

Here are some indicators parents can keep in mind:

* Believe in yourself 

To begin with, parents need to believe and have confidence in their parenting skills. But most importantly, they need to be able to trust their teen. Your parenting style, like close monitoring of your teen's activities, setting limits as to his/her behavior can make a BIG difference in your teen's sexual decisions. Despite the fact that a large percentage of today's teens have sex when not ready, by using the right strategies, you as a parent can ensure that your teen will not drink, do drugs or have sex before they are ready.

* Talk to your child

Talk to your child and engage him/her in open ended conversations; these valuable "teachable moments of togetherness" are most helpful. This would be a good time for parents to clarify to your teen that if sex is used unwisely and prematurely, it could dramatically change and downgrade his/her life. Talking and giving out factual information in small bits and pieces on sexuality including the use of condoms, would serve as an important eye-opener to a teen before getting confronted with these issues.

*Communicate values

When we parents communicate our values pertaining to sex to our children, we make a huge difference in our teen's behavior and attitude. Give clear messages

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