RN, CHES
Kim Cook is a registered nurse (RN) who spent several years happily employed as an elementary school nurse. Broadening her
interests into the colorful world of adolescence, Kim returned to school to become a middle and high school health education teacher. She also graduated with a minor in psychology and a certification in LGBT Studies. Kim is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
Fueling her passion for comprehensive adolescent sexuality health education, Kim writes an informational blog for parents: Teen World Confidential. With a humorous perspective, she offers medically- accurate information in a non-judgmental approach about all things S-E-X and the adolescent. Kim is currently...
As parents are well aware it is common for preteens, both boys and girls, to self-evaluate their appearance. Yet did you know that preschoolers are already forming ideas about body image that will last a lifetime? In a recent study by Jennifer A. Harriger, et al. it was found that children as young as three are already beginning to understand that “thin” is the ideal which society values as attractive.
Like politics, human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a very interesting topic to bring up at parties. Conversations run the gamut from “Are we talking about sex!?” to “I heard the vaccine is really dangerous.” Being an educator, I find myself faced with the dilemma of putting on my “teacher hat” or just listening to comments. It all depends on how much alcohol has been consumed by those involved in the conversation.
The holiday season has snuck up on us once again. Scrambling to plan, shop, wrap, bake, cook, and party with friends leaves little time for us to pause and reflect on the past year. Therefore, let us skip that part of the New Year transition and focus on other topics, such as…your awesomeness as a parent.
Research has repeatedly proven that when parents talk honestly and openly about sex with their children, they are more likely to wait before engaging in first sex and more likely to use protection. In other words, adolescents are actually listening to their parents.
The notice arrives from the nurse at your child’s elementary school.
“The Talk” will be held at some point during fifth grade. Your eyes bug out, your heart pounds, sweat beads down your chest (okay, maybe that was a hot flash), and you suddenly have a need for a glass of red. Or white. And friends!
Little thought bubbles begin exploding around your head:
Wait, I want to talk to my child before the school does.
No way do I want to talk to my child about this!
Talking to kids about sex. Yikes.
Any parent who has initiated “the talk” with their child has experienced qualms about what to say, when to say it, and how to say it. It would be awesome to channel a sex-pert during these talks and merely let the words flow succinctly, accurately, and in a manner that eliminates the inevitable eyeball roll of your all-knowing child.
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