I have three grown children and another who is getting there. I have not been made a grandmother yet, which means that I may have said something right to my children for once. The amazing thing is, they seem to have taken in what I have impressed upon them about the consequences of unprotected sex.

These are my personal 10 tips to avoid a teenage pregnancy.

1. Be realistic about your child. In our day when we reached our teenage years we thought a quick fumble behind the bike sheds was really daring. Now some of our teenagers are having sex right under our very noses and they seem to have such a laid back attitude about the whole business. The first thing you are going to have to realize that your child is no different to any other child and no matter how much you trust them, ultimately you cannot always hope that they will not fall into the kind of situation that you have always dreaded as a mother. trust me. They can't cope.

2. Teenagers need our understanding. It is no good shouting and going on and getting them to promise that they are never going to do "it". The truth of the matter is that they have probably had sex already but are just too scared to tell you about it. Take some time to talk to them about your own sexual exploits (without going into too much detail)and try and get them to see that you too were young once and that you have been through the trials and tribulations of teenage-hood yourself. If they open up to you and tell you a few shocking truths about themselves, then try to show a calm reaction to their news. At least they are confiding in you now.

3. Make sure that your child knows how to use the proper protection for intercourse. many teenagers can be very promiscuous and the trend for STD's is rising at an alarming rate. If they are embarrassed about the subject then discreetly tuck a few condoms in their top drawer in their bedroom. It is blatant I know. But when I did this with my own children I didn't feel I was encouraging them, just asking them to be careful if they did do anything.

4. Meet the girlfriend or boyfriend. Talk to them and get to know them. Encourage a sense of respect between the two teens. For example, if I knew my son was popping round to see his girlfriend I would just take him aside away from the others and tell him to remember that he has a lovely girlfriend and she deserves proper respect. That she is a human being and that if I knew a child of mine had caused such a change in someones life

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