FINAL TSTO Lesa Dec 14.pdf - Flipbook - Page 39
9. If you don’t know how to respond to a question it is OK to
say so. Keep the communication open with something like,
‘That’s a good question. I don’t know how to answer it. I’ll find
out and get back to you,’ or ‘We can find out together.’
10.Leave books around that have accurate information, and
make sure you talk to your children around age 9 or 10
about puberty. Have a look at websites. See page 62 for
recommendations.
11. Take advantage of opportunistic ‘teachable moments’.
Dads too
In the old days, dads did not often talk to their children about sex.
That was understood to be mum’s job. It’s quite likely that, as
more men are involved in the day- to-day care of children, talking
to their kids about sex and relationships will evolve. While no-one
should have to talk about something that makes them feel deeply
uncomfortable, we do want to encourage and support men in
taking the job on.
Outdated ideas of men as sexually irresponsible have left many
men feeling vulnerable when it comes to talking to their children
about this subject. This unfortunately runs the risk of maintaining
the myth that boys and men cannot reliably talk about sex,
bodies, contraception, and relationships. Or, more damaging:
that men should not talk about these subjects with children. Boys
and girls benefit from women and men taking part in this aspect
of their education.
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