Talk about sex and, sometimes, parents get weird.

DON’T WANT TO GET WEIRD?

As a parent or caregiver you want your children to grow up healthy and happy. Parents can, and should play an important role in the sexuality education of their children. Studies show, time and again, that children want to learn about sex from their parents.

One way you can become a trusted advisor to your kids is by making conversations about sexual health and well-being a normal part of family life, and helping them find information about sexuality issues that you may not know that much about.

Sexual Health Access Alberta published a resource in 2009 designed to help parents start talking and keeping talking with their children about sexuality. It includes research findings, expert advice, ages and stages of sexual development, talking tips, and a list of book and website resources.  Click here to view the brochure: It’s Easier Than You Think! Talking With Your Children About Sexual Health and Well-Being. Another way of assisting in a child’s healthy sexual development is by helping them connect with the sexual health services they need now, or may need in the future- like the services posted on WONTGETWEIRD.COM.

This page provides up-to-date information and resources that can help you help your kids make sexually healthy decisions. Here is a list of resources that you may find helpful:

Websites and Other Useful Links:

  • Sexual and Reproductive Rights of Youth in Alberta: Information for Parents and Guardians. Informs parents and guardians how Alberta law addresses confidentiality and consent issues as they relate to youth under 18, and their access to sexual health information and services.
  • All the Way: Sex for the First Time – Book Review. Want to help your teens make a fully informed decision about whether or not they are ready to have sex? Canadian sexuality educator, Kim Martyn, wrote a great resource for parents and teens. Read it first, then pass it on to your child.
  • Are You An “Askable” Parent Quiz.  Can your kids talk to you about sex? Take the quiz to see if you’re an “askable” parent.
  •   sexualityandu.ca. Information on what parents can do to raise sexually healthy children. Sponsored by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.
  • calgaryoutlink.ca. Support, education and resources for the GLBTQ community (Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender/Two Spirited/Questioning)
  • Alberta Sexual Health Curriculum.  Teachingsexuality.ca provides insight on what your child is being taught in the classroom.
  • sieccan.org. Sex Information and Education Council of Canada
  • siecus.org  A website for parents interested in advocacy and policy as it relates to sexuality education. (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S.)
  • talkingwithkids.org. Information on talking with your kids about sex and a whole range of other issues like HIV/AIDS, drugs and alcohol and violence. Children Now and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
  • kidshealth.org. Parenting advice, tips, and information for kids and teens.
  •  cfsh.ca. The Canadian Federation for Sexual Health.
  •  littlewarriors.ca. Education and prevention information on child sexual abuse.
  • religiousinstitute.org.   Multi-faith organization dedicated to advocating sexual health, education and justice in faith communities and society.

Books for Parents:

  • Beyond the Big Talk: Every Parent’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy teens, by Debra W. Haffner
  • From Diapers to Dating: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Children, From Infancy to Adolescence, by Debra W. Haffner & Alyssa Haffner Tartaglione
  • Our Bodies, Ourselves: A New Edition for a New Era, by Boston Women’s Health Book Collective
  • Sex & Sensibility, by Deborah M. Roffman
  • Ten Talks Parents Must Have With Their Children on Sex and Character, by Pepper Schwartz & Dominic Cappello
  • The New Speaking of Sex: What Your Children Need to Know and When They Need to Know It, by Meg Hickling

Books for Parents to Give to Teens:

  • All the Way: Sex for the First Time, by Kim Martyn (See book review above.)
  • Cycle Savvy: The Smart Teen’s Guide to the Mysteries of Her Body, by Toni Weschler
  • Deal With It!  by Ester Drill, Heather Mcdonald & Rebecca Odes (for young teen girls)
  • Doing it Right: Making Smart, Safe, and Satisfying Choices About Sex,  by Bronwen Pardes
  • My Body, Myself For Boys, by Lynda Madaras & Area Madaras
  • My Body, Myself  For Girls, by Lynda Madaras & Area Madaras
  • S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-To-Know Progressive  Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College, by Heather Corinna
  • The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls, by Valorie Schaefer & Norma Bendell
  • The Guy Book: An Owner’s Manual, by Mavis Jukes