Teaching Children About The Facts Of Life
I write this as a parent of three and not in any professional capacity. this is how my mother taught me and how I taught my children. I feel that it is good advice but you should only do what you feel is right for both you and your child. Possibly with this father's advice you can keep your children away from the professionals when they are adults.
Children should be encouraged to read. When they are young set up a library that the child can call their own. In the library have several books on difficult subjects you would like to discuss with your child. Make sure the books are appropriate for the age of the child.
Spend some time reading to your child and allow them to pick out the book to be read. When they pick the book on the subject you have inserted into their library to initiate a discussion read the book as you would any other. This will open up a line of communication with your child at a very early age. Answer the questions as they arise and discuss the subject with your child with a real and mature answer catered to the age of the child.
As the child becomes older replace the books in the library with other more age appropriate books. There are several subjects that are difficult for many parents to discuss with their children. By picking up a book it makes it easy for both you and your child to begin a discussion. this should lead to a very open relationship between parent and child for years to come.
Not only will this give you an opportunity to spend quality time with your child but also allows you to control their education to an extent.
There are many children who only learn the facts of life in their Health class in school. This could be taught in whatever way the teacher decides. It makes much more sense to have this kind of education come from the parents well before it is to be discussed in school. In the classroom your child may be to shy to ask questions which in a subject like this not only should the question be asked but it should be answered in a way that the child will understand.
Some children are extremely embarrassed to discuss such subjects in school so bringing the subject up in early childhood gives the child enough information to be comfortable in such a class.
Alternative lifestyles will also be discussed in Health class which I feel could really confuse a child who has never been exposed to such relationships. Remember it is very possible that some of the children in the school come form homes with same sex parents. If your child is not educated in such matters they may become very confused and will not ask questions about things that confuse them.
There are many subjects I feel should be openly discussed between parent and child. I can think of no better way then to have a book that can be read together and discussed. Your child will feel comfortable asking you questions about something you both have read together.
The subjects are numerous in today's society and a child will try to find their own answers to questions if a reasonable answer is not provided for them. Do not allow your child to be educated by their peers in the schoolyard. Become proactive at an early age and let your child know they can come to you with questions without a feeling of judgement.
The changes that occur when a child enters puberty could cause all kinds of questions in a child. These questions maybe very embarrassing for a child to discuss with their parents. Having a book available for them to read will also give them an opportunity to ask the parents questions about the book.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases is a subject that should become a part of every teens parental discussions. By having a book to look at the teen can educate themselves and hopefully seek you out if there is something that they do not understand.
Where babies come from is something that each child should have no delusions about, a child should not be told fantasies about such a sensitive subject
. Why a friend has two mommies or daddies is something else that your child should at least have a basic understanding of the situation.
If you do not educate your child someone else will. Not only will you both benefit from the time you spend reading and discussing these subjects but it will also give you a better relationship with your child when they have grown to adulthood. I hope this has presented you with some ideas to teach your children the facts of life and I hope you all maintain an open and healthy relationship with your child.