Leading into conversations about sexual health can be much easier when there is a bit of a prompt such as a TV show referring to sexual health or a related school health topic. Ask your child their thoughts on what they are seeing or whether they discuss those topics with their mates.

Like any other topic you discuss with your child, if your emotions are calm and rational in the situation, your child is more likely to open up in the future. Even if you don’t fully agree with a certain situation, try to remain rational as it is better than you are informed in order to keep your child safe. 

Listen openly to what your child is telling you and provide them with accurate information. Refer to things by their proper name so your child is not confused by any concepts. If you do not know the right information or aren’t confident, then research it together with your child from a reputable source. 

See resources for parents and children for more information. 

If your child is seeking further information from you, it means they are likely getting the right information at the right time. Let them know you are happy they came to you and to keep asking regardless of the topic.

Some topics your child may want to discuss with a third party as bringing it up to a parent seems strange. Keep an open line of communication with your child but inform them there are other people who can help with their questions too, including a trusted family member, a youth worker or a known healthcare professional. By allowing this, you take the pressure off yourself as a parent and your child can open up to an external trusted source.

When you teach your child about different gender identities or different perspectives, they are much more likely to be empathetic to others in certain scenarios. Discussing sexual health while asking further questions like “How would a young female or male feel in that scenario?” or “What about a person who is navigating their gender identity?”