Be
clear about your own sexual attitudes and values.
-What
do you really think about teens having sex?
-Who
is
responsible for setting sexual limits and how is that done?
-Were
you sexually active as a teen and how do you feel about that now?
Talk
with your children early and often and be specific.
-Make
it an 18-year conversation.
-Help
young people understand the context and meaning of sex, not just how body parts
work.
-Ask
teens what they think and what worries them.
Be
a parent with opinions.
Such as:
-Sex
should be associated with commitment, so I think you are too young to have sex.
-If
you do have sex, always use contraception until you are ready to have a child.
-Our
family’s values say that sex should be an expression of love within marriage.
Supervise
and monitor your children.
-Establish
rules, curfews, and standards of expected behavior through open family
discussions.
Do this early, before any unwanted behavior occurs.
Know
your children’s friends and their families.
-Meet
the parents of your children’s friends.
-Try
to establish common rules and expectations.
Help
your teenager have options for the future that are more
attractive
than early pregnancy and parenthood.
-Help
them set meaningful goals for the future.
-Talk
to them about what it takes to reach their goals.
Talk
to your sons as well as your daughters.
-The
nearly 900,000 teen girls who get pregnant each year don’t do it alone.
-Boys
need to know that teen pregnancy has serious consequences for them, too.
-Having
sex doesn’t make you a man, waiting until you are responsible and ready does.
These
tips work best when they occur as part of strong,
close
relationships with your children.
--Express
love clearly and often.
--Listen
carefully to what your children say.
--Spend
time with your children engaged in activities they like.
--Be
supportive of what interests them.
--Be
courteous and respectful to your children and their friends.
--Help
them build self-esteem by mastering skills; self-esteem is earned, not given.
--Have
meals together.
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