We know it’s important to have not just one talk about sex with our kids, but lots of micro-talks: talks about their bodies, puberty, sex, and consent, starting when they’re young and expanding upon these topics as they get older. However, even if we’re open with our kids from the very beginning, and even if they know they can come to us whenever they need to talk, there are still some questions they’re unlikely to turn to us to get answered. That’s why we need a little extra support from Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood has released a series of sex education videos called Ask the Experts in which a group of young hosts answer common questions teenagers may want to ask, but not have the nerve to ask. They tackle the topics in a nonjudgemental sort of way, using both anatomically correct terms and slang. Here is a sample of the questions they take on:
The kids use graphics to illustrate their points (including cartoon genitalia), along with a matter-of-fact tone and language to describe our bodies and reproductive systems. The result is a trusted resource you can share with them to answer their questions honestly and accurately—even as you remind them that they can always come to you if they want to know more.
