How to talk about sexuality

A stage in which we grow up and emerge from the childhood and understand ourselves and form our personality. At this age, we reach puberty and sexual curiosity begins to appear. This can be one of the most difficult challenges for any teenager in general, and for us in the Arab countries in particular. 

The adolescent in this stage is developing, not only physically, his feelings are also developing and his social skills are developing. And it doesn't mean that he has started to have a sexual curiosity that he wants to have sex.
He may want to feel the feelings of love and intimacy. Maybe he wants to live experiences like adults. And all of these are important needs to learn how to behave in a healthy and appropriate manner. And parents are the best person who teaches children the right behavior.

Sexual development and sexual curiosity consist of many things: 

• We understand how our bodies work.
• We can make sound and effective decisions about our body and our lives in a way that is commensurate with our values ​​and morals.
• We can effectively express our feelings and needs without harming ourselves or anyone else.
• To be respectful and healthy relationships.

Although adolescents can hear information about sexual development and sexual practice from their friends or on social media and the Internet, the words of parents with their children at this age allow them to obtain reliable information in a safe and proportional manner with the values ​​and morals that we are interested in instilling in them.

How do I talk about sexual development?

Talking with our children about a topic like this is very natural that it is neither comfortable nor easy, for us and for them, too. But there are some things that can make things easier for you:

• 1. Prepare well

  Reading about the various points and making sure of your information is an important thing in order to be able to respond to the teenager’s inquiries with appropriate and convincing responses. It is also important to know what morals and principles are appropriate for you as a family, because these are the m things that you will want to take into account when you talk to them.

  Some suggested topics for reading: puberty, menstruation, wet dreams, masturbation, watching pornographic websites and movies.

• 2. Choose the right time to speak

  Meaning that you are trying to choose a time when your son/girl is not tired or tired, he is not busy or distracted, he is not stressed because of exams, for example. You can prepare him before her that you need to sit down and talk so that he is ready.

• 3. When you come to talk to him...

  • Be very clear with him about your expectations regarding his behavior and what is rejected, and explain to him the reasons for your rejection. 
  
  • Use good listening skills. 
  
  • Ask the teenager, he knows what is the first, and from here I begin to fix his mistakes and add new information. 
  
  • Be honest. If you need something that you don't know, ask your son/daughter for time to study the answer. 
  
  • Reassure your son/daughter that you want to understand their point of view and discuss it with them, and that there is no need to be ashamed of any questions. 
  
  • Choose your words well and try to have a background on the appropriate nomenclature for his age. 
  
  • Talking about some additional important topics: such as sexual harassment and reassure him that you need to know any need - God forbid - that you will get for him in order to be able to help him.