Who taught you about sex as a child? If you’re a parent, how do you feel about talking to your child about sex?
According to a survey conducted by Knowledge Networks, 57% of parents feel uncomfortable talking to their kids about sex and 64% reported that their parents didn’t do a good job talking to them. How do we engage in this important conversation with our kids with confidence as well as effectiveness?
On this episode of the Better Together Podcast, I’m talking Lauren Snyder, Executive Director of Ministry at CedarCreek Church in Perrysburg, OH. Join our conversation as we have a conversation about a topic that we hate talking to our kids about: SEX.
During this podcast, you hear and learn:
- A fun story about the unconventional way that Lauren learned about the birds-and-the-bees;
- Why parents must be the first and primary voice in their children's life regarding sex;
- Lauren will equip you with phrases that we need to repeat early and often to our kids to keep them from developing body-related or sex-related shame.
During our podcast, Lauren also named a few of the resources that she provided to Lydia. We’ve also included those links for you:
- The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, Revised Edition Paperback (2012) by Valorie Schaefer (Author), Josee Masse (Illustrator)
- The Care and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls (Paperback – 2013) by Cara Natterson (Author), Josee Masse (Illustrator)
- God's Design for Sex Series (4 books) By Stan Jones and Brenna Jones
As Lauren recommends, please read these resources before handing them off with your kids. You’ll want to be aware and equipped to receive the questions that your child might ask, rather than scrambling to do damage control or untwist any misconceptions.
What if you’re afraid to teach your kids about sex because you feel ashamed or guilty about your past?
Romans 8:1 says that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. If God has forgiven you, then you need to let His forgiveness in to clear your heart and mind and not block it with your guilt, shame or self-hatred. If you don't accept God's forgiveness, you'll miss an opportunity to testify to your kids about how God forgives and how we can be set free from guilt and shame.
What if you don’t know what the Bible says about sex?
This is a common question. There are a lot of people who are confused about what the Bible does and doesn't teach about sex. Now, there are an endless list of resources and perspectives. Here is a "starter" list for adults who want to learn more. You're welcome to share your suggestion on the blog page.
The Gift of Sex in Marriage - sermon by Ben Snyder, CedarCreek Church)
If you’re single – Love, Sex and Dating by Andy Stanley
If you’re married – Sheet Music by Kevin Leman
For Women Only – by Shaunti Feldhahn
Pornography - Resources available at XXXChurch.com
What do you do when you hear a child say negative things like, "I'm stupid," "I suck," "I can't do anything right," or "I'm worthless"?
It's a new year and new episodes of the Better Together podcast! Today's episode is a critical conversation for all parents and anyone with influence in a child, teen or young adult's life.
Here's our question: How do we teach a child to get back up again emotionally after getting knocked down by failure, a mistake, bullying or careless words? There's one skill that we must teach our kids because it's not a skill that they learn naturally. Unfortunately, it's a skill that too many adults don't know how to use either. But, we can learn!
Today's Better Together Podcast guest is marriage and family expert, Kim Fredrickson. She's the author of the new book, Give Your Kids a Break: Parenting with Compassion for You and Your Children. You are invited to be part of this critical dialogue that's needed now, more than ever!
Here's what you'll learn about today:
- Why self-compassion is the key to bouncing back quickly from mistakes;
- How to use the language of self-compassion;
- The important difference between self-compassion and self-pity;
- Compassionate words to say to yourself as a parent when you make a mistake with your kids
I'm passionate about today's conversation because I've read Kim's books and I use the language of self-compassion with myself. Self-compassion helps me to get to the heart of my mistakes, own my mistakes, overcome any shame or guilt and not beat myself up.
After you listen to today's podcast, I'm going to ask you to do the following:
First, share this episode with your mom and dad friends. Everyone needs to hear this message. Second, get Kim's book, Give Your Kids a Break, for more practical advice and help. She has a 1-2-3 Start List for beginning the self-compassion conversation with your kids.
Links from today's show
Kim's website (You can find her on social media from her website.)
Give Your Kids a Break by Kim Fredrickson
Give Yourself a Break by Kim Fredrickson (download first chapter for free!)
Better Together podcast is hosted by Barb Roose, a speaker and author passionate about helping women win at life with strength and dignity. This podcast releases new episodes twice a month. Listen to previous episodes at Barbroose.com/bettertogether. Connect with Barb on social media at fb.com/barbararoose or @barbroose on Twitter/Insta.