Teenagers can be tough to read. You know their heads are full of thoughts and questions about sex and relationships, but exactly what’s going on in there…who knows? Obviously every kid is different. But the young adults who responded to my survey give some clues about common questions and concerns. When I asked what they […]
TalkStarter for Teens and Preteens: Styles at School
Teen styles are constantly changing, but one thing is true every year: Kids dress for social impact. They may not care what adults think about their clothing choices, but they care hugely what their peers think. Because many teens and preteens have so much energy about clothes, it’s a great opener for parents into their […]
One Time You Should Never Talk to Your Kid About Sex
As any regular reader of this blog knows, I’m a big fan of talking about sexuality. Having lots of small conversations over many years works best, and there are all kinds of things in daily life that can give parents an opening. But there is one time that the young adults I surveyed often mentioned […]
How Many Sex Partners Have Young Adults Really Had?
If you watch much media these days, you’d think that most teens and young adults are constantly having casual sex. Hook-ups and experimentation are routine; it’s normal to have lots of sexual partners. Except—what if that’s not true in the real world? How many sex partners do young people really have? My survey of 900 […]
TalkStarter for Teens and Preteens: 3 All-Purpose Conversation Openers
Sometimes, parents aren’t quite sure what they want to say to their kids about sex. Other times, they know something they want to say, but aren’t quite sure how to get the words out. This happens even with younger kids, but it’s especially true with teens and preteens who may (or may not) know a […]
TalkStarter for Teens and Preteens: The Road Trip
Finding the right opportunity with talk to your teen about sex and relationships can be a challenge. Everyone is so busy, and it’s hard to find a time when conversations can unfold naturally. Solution: Create an opportunity for important conversations by taking your teen or preteen on a road trip. The point of the trip […]
TalkStarter for Teens: Use the News
It seems like every day there’s some sort of sex-related scandal in the news: sexual assaults on some campus, a politician or athlete having an affair, allegations of sexual harassment in some organization. These unhappy situations have one silver lining: They can create a topic of conversation with teens. Teens are most likely to resonate […]
Why You Should Cuddle Your Teen–Even If He’s Prickly
Teens can get prickly. Your cuddly little kid may have turned into a porcupine who bristles or rolls his eyes when you want to hug him. But that doesn’t mean you should stop being affectionate. You’ll do it differently than when she was younger—but please don’t stop all touch. Teens need human contact as much […]