One of the toughest jobs is raising a child, but also one of the most rewarding. Times have changed since you were a child, and today the world is more complex. Today there are more disturbing issues that our children face. These issues are difficult for children to understand as well as for adults to explain.

Many parents question how appropriate it is as well as how to talk to their kids about such things as sex, HIV/AIDS, violence/terrorism, illness/death, drugs and alcohol. What needs to be considered is how would you want your children to find out about these issues? They can hear it from you first or take the word of friends, TV, movies and magazines. Adults need to talk to their children starting early on, and do it often to ensure the questions are answered in a manner that is appropriate for you.

Children are forced to cope with tough issues before many of them can understand all the aspects of the complicated ideas. Young children will turn to parents first for many of their questions. However, as children enter their teenage years, they will rely more heavily on friends, media and other outsiders for their information. As adults, you want to ensure your children are getting the message that is in sync with your personal values and moral principles. Parents have a wonderful opportunity to reach their children first before anyone else confuses them with incorrect information or explanations that lack the sense of values they want to instill.

Not all children will feel as comfortable enough to talk to you about questions they might have—you need to initiate. The following tips may help you talk to your child.

• Use TV and other media to help with these discussions. If you notice your child has a confused look about an issue, you should ask him questions about the show.
• See if your child does understand.
• Open the floor for discussion.
• Encourage your children to ask questions if they do not fully understand an issue.
• Make sure when speaking to your child, you should use words they can understand. Use short, straight forward, simple explanations in language they will understand.
• If you have more than one child, speak to them separately to show the value of one on one time with them due to the importance of the tough issues.

Most parents don’t feel their children want them to discuss difficult subjects with them. For your children to come to you with their difficult questions they need to feel open to ask. They need to feel freely without fear of consequences when asking a though question. When your child comes to you with questions at a busy or inappropriate time to discuss, ask your child if you can talk later that evening, and make sure you do talk with your child!

For more information, visit the Center for Women & Children’s Health.



References
www.talkingwithkids.org