We have friends who in their late forties have had a “surprise” blessing added to their family. I don’t know who was more surprised the parents or their teenaged children.
It is my experience with children once they understand that conception is not immaculate they cannot stand the thought that their parents still “do it”. We decided very early on that sex was not going to be a taboo subject at our dinner table. Why you may wonder? The answer is simple. We wanted them to learn about this topic from us. We wanted them to know that in the context of marriage that sex was good and right.
However, we also wanted them to understand there really was a consequence to sex, one of them possibly being a baby. For the teens whose parents end up conceiving it can be a shock. They think that all their parents do is read the paper and watch TV. It is healthy to have conversations about sex. Ask them when does sex begin, what have they learned at school or heard from their friends? Keep this conversation flowing with your children. You want them to be able to come to you with anything.
Remember two things: 1. Don’t judge them and keep your face from looking surprised, outraged or painful. You want them to feel secure, not afraid or embarrassed. You want to be a moral barometer in their life. 2. Don’t criticize the question. There is no such thing as a stupid question. The more we can prepare our children the better off they will be.
Children need to realize that babies are a life long responsibility. Even parents can be caught off guard and surprised but I know many surprises that are a huge blessing!
(photo courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net)
It is my experience with children once they understand that conception is not immaculate they cannot stand the thought that their parents still “do it”. We decided very early on that sex was not going to be a taboo subject at our dinner table. Why you may wonder? The answer is simple. We wanted them to learn about this topic from us. We wanted them to know that in the context of marriage that sex was good and right.
However, we also wanted them to understand there really was a consequence to sex, one of them possibly being a baby. For the teens whose parents end up conceiving it can be a shock. They think that all their parents do is read the paper and watch TV. It is healthy to have conversations about sex. Ask them when does sex begin, what have they learned at school or heard from their friends? Keep this conversation flowing with your children. You want them to be able to come to you with anything.
Remember two things: 1. Don’t judge them and keep your face from looking surprised, outraged or painful. You want them to feel secure, not afraid or embarrassed. You want to be a moral barometer in their life. 2. Don’t criticize the question. There is no such thing as a stupid question. The more we can prepare our children the better off they will be.
Children need to realize that babies are a life long responsibility. Even parents can be caught off guard and surprised but I know many surprises that are a huge blessing!
(photo courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net)
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