The Preteen Years

Talking About Sex and Drugs The conversations started out simple. You taught them to share, to never touch a hot plate when it is put in front of them, and even to be cautious of strangers. Over the years conversations with your children have become more and more complicated. If you are parenting a preteen you might feel overwhelmed and confused on how to approach some of the more serious topics and issues. If you are parenting a preteen how do you start the conversation about sex and drugs? The Three Letter Word That Changes Everything By the time your child reaches the preteen years they have likely been through some sex education courses in school. For example, in the state of California the schools teach a few lessons on sex education in the fifth grade. In addition, it is likely that your child and their friends have chatted about the subject from time to time. Your preteen might understand what sex is, but not understand the many complications that come along with this serious life step. Your child can easily think that you cannot tell them anything they don’t already know. If you are about to take the “talk” to the next step you should ask yourself if your preteen is mature enough to handle the information. Timing is key to any discussion. Once you determine if your preteen has the maturity it takes to openly discuss sex and more importantly safe sex you have to set some time aside where you can be alone and comfortable. Your child must understand how babies are made, the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases and also unplanned pregnancy. This may sound simple, but it is very complicated for some parents. Additional support from adolescent treatment centers can provide you with multiple resources. Sex is often intertwined with body image and gender differences. Adolescent treatment facilities can provide you with resources and your preteen with classes and support groups for a variety of issues including healthy body image and avoiding drug use. Drugs can appear in your child’s life at any point in the elementary or middle school years. As a society, sex, and drugs are appearing to our youth sooner than we could imagine. Preteens have been told that drugs are bad and harmful to their health yet that normally does not completely eliminate their curiosity and access to harmful substances. A complete discussion with your child should do more than bring across the message that drugs are bad. Parents can show their children the results of drug use including but not limited to other teens with drug addictions, teen death from drug use, and other hard facts that bring the message across. Adolescent treatment facilities can provide you with tools to start both conversations on sex and/or drugs. They can also provide you with preteen groups that your child can attend and share their questions and concerns with other children their age. These forums can be a positive step in your child’s most influential years.

The Preteen Years

Talking About Sex and Drugs The conversations started out simple. You taught them to share, to never touch a hot plate when it is put in front of them, and even to be cautious of strangers. Over the years conversations with your children have become more and more complicated. If you are parenting a preteen you might feel overwhelmed and confused on how to approach some of the more serious topics and issues. If you are parenting a preteen how do you start the conversation about sex and drugs? The Three Letter Word That Changes Everything By the time your child reaches the preteen years they have likely been through some sex education courses in school. For example, in the state of California the schools teach a few lessons on sex education in the fifth grade. In addition, it is likely that your child and their friends have chatted about the subject from time to time. Your preteen might understand what sex is, but not understand the many complications that come along with this serious life step. Your child can easily think that you cannot tell them anything they don’t already know. If you are about to take the “talk” to the next step you should ask yourself if your preteen is mature enough to handle the information. Timing is key to any discussion. Once you determine if your preteen has the maturity it takes to openly discuss sex and more importantly safe sex you have to set some time aside where you can be alone and comfortable. Your child must understand how babies are made, the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases and also unplanned pregnancy. This may sound simple, but it is very complicated for some parents. Additional support from adolescent treatment centers can provide you with multiple resources. Sex is often intertwined with body image and gender differences. Adolescent treatment facilities can provide you with resources and your preteen with classes and support groups for a variety of issues including healthy body image and avoiding drug use. Drugs can appear in your child’s life at any point in the elementary or middle school years. As a society, sex, and drugs are appearing to our youth sooner than we could imagine. Preteens have been told that drugs are bad and harmful to their health yet that normally does not completely eliminate their curiosity and access to harmful substances. A complete discussion with your child should do more than bring across the message that drugs are bad. Parents can show their children the results of drug use including but not limited to other teens with drug addictions, teen death from drug use, and other hard facts that bring the message across. Adolescent treatment facilities can provide you with tools to start both conversations on sex and/or drugs. They can also provide you with preteen groups that your child can attend and share their questions and concerns with other children their age. These forums can be a positive step in your child’s most influential years.