Not that you have missed the boat if you already have a teenager, and you haven’t really touched topics like sex and alcohol/drugs, but the boat is certainly on its way out to sea.  I suggest you run to the dock and jump before it is really too far gone!

Every year younger and younger kids seem to be experimenting with sex.  It has definitely reached 7th grade and it seems like 6th might not be far behind.  Yikes!

Is this cause for panic?  Maybe.  Can we do any thing about the past?  Nope.  This being said start looking for opportunities every day to tackle the tough stuff.  If a song comes on the radio with lyrics that make you go red in the face it is an opportunity to address the topic in an off hand way.  You can say something like, “What do you think they are talking about in that song?” or “Does anyone at your school do that?” etc.  Try to get them talking, and don’t make it directly about them.

Movies and TV also present a lot of great opportunities to talk about the tough stuff.  Just remember that just because they have not asked or brought up the topic it does not mean they don’t know all about it.  Unfortunatly if they say “ewww no way!” when you ask you are not in the clear.

Just keep letting them know that you are not afraid of the topic and you are there for them no matter what!

Remember that you are amazing and worth loving even if you are completely freaked out by the idea of talking about sex.  Go give it your best shot over and over and over till the message gets through and the lines of communication open!