How to Talk with Teens About Love, Relationships, and S-E-X

Many parents find it difficult or even impossible to talk with their teens about love, relationships, and especially sex. But the real choice we face is not if our teens will learn about these topics, but how they will learn and who will do the teaching. With this book as your guide, you can be the expert your kids turn to for advice, answers, and help in making positive choices.

In more than two decades of working with parents and teens, authors Amy and Charles Miron have heard it all—from the things your kids think they know to the things you probably don’t. Openly, comfortably, without mincing words, they share their expertise on everything from sexual development to sexually transmitted infections, teen relationships to teen pregnancy, hormones to harassment, and much more.

There’s no “right” way to talk with your teens about love, relationships, and sex. That’s why the Mirons encourage you to personalize your teaching to meet your child’s needs, your family values, and your comfort level. (It does get easier!)

• Part I takes you through a series of steps, from defining your values and goals for your teen to
being prepared for almost anything.
• Part II covers the issues, from sexual development to sexual expression, safer sex to sexual pleasure.
• “Just the Facts” boxes provide up-to-date information about teen sexual behavior.
• “Try This” exercises help you break the ice and invite discussion.
• Resources point the way toward books, organizations, hotlines, and Web sites when you want to know more.

How you use this information is up to you. What you talk about or don’t is your decision. But with this book close at hand, you’ll always have a place to turn, strategies to try, ideas for what to say, and expert guidance for meeting one of the biggest challenges parents face: communicating openly, honestly, and appropriately about love, relationships, and sex.