Explaining abortion

Sex health expert Amy Lang explains the best ways to explain abortions to children so they understand the concepts and why some people chose to have an abortion.
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Explaining abortion

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Kids are going to hear the word abortion and hear about abortion long before we’re going to be ready to talk to them about it. It’s important to calmly explain to children, probably by the time they are 10 for sure what abortion is. And you can very simply say that sometimes women become pregnant and they don’t want to be pregnant – you can talk about the different reasons why, maybe they aren’t ready to have more children, maybe they can’t afford another child, maybe there’s something wrong with their health or the health of the developing fetus. So explain that it’s a medical procedure for women that’s done by a doctor. They can have a simple surgery or take medication that will end the pregnancy. We talk about abortion and use the word baby, kids imagine babes in arms, so it’s very helpful to them I think to understand that it’s very early in pregnancy. And then, of course, you need to talk about your values about abortion with your kids.

Sex health expert Amy Lang explains the best ways to explain abortions to children so they understand the concepts and why some people chose to have an abortion.

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Amy Lang, MA

Sex Education Expert

Despite her 16 years of experience as a sexual health educator, Amy Lang found herself completely tongue-tied when her four year old son had "something very important" to tell her about his penis. Shocked by her discomfort, she realized if she was struggling, other parents must be too. Amy also holds an MA in Applied Behavioral Science and her focus was in adult education and group facilitation. She decided to combine her love of sex talking and her love of working with adults and started Birds + Bees + Kids in 2006.

Amy is a three time Mom’s Choice Award winner for her book, Birds + Bees + YOUR Kids - A Guide To Sharing Your Beliefs About Sexuality, Love and Relationships and DVD, Birds + Bees + Kids - The Basics. She is also the author of the book, Say What?! The Birds + Bees for Progressive Parents - What to Say and How to Say It!

She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Seattle Magazine, Parent Map magazine and has contributed to a gazillion other publications. Sex advice guru Dan Savage says “Amy is a parent’s best friend-with-benefits when it comes to talking to kids about sex.” 

Though Birds + Bees + Kids, Amy helps parents of all beliefs have easy, open and effective conversations about sexuality, love and relationships with their kids. She offers talks, workshops, one-on-one consultations and live webcasts. Amy is also the co-founder of MamaCON - Inspiration and Tools for Modern Moms, a conference supporting the hard work of moms everywhere.

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Transcription: 
Kids are going to hear the word abortion and hear about abortion long before we’re going to be ready to talk to them about it. It’s important to calmly explain to children, probably by the time they are 10 for sure what abortion is. And you can very simply say that sometimes women become pregnant and they don’t want to be pregnant – you can talk about the different reasons why, maybe they aren’t ready to have more children, maybe they can’t afford another child, maybe there’s something wrong with their health or the health of the developing fetus. So explain that it’s a medical procedure for women that’s done by a doctor. They can have a simple surgery or take medication that will end the pregnancy. We talk about abortion and use the word baby, kids imagine babes in arms, so it’s very helpful to them I think to understand that it’s very early in pregnancy. And then, of course, you need to talk about your values about abortion with your kids.