Keeping a teenager a teenager and not a parent is one of the biggest difficulties anyone could ever face. These days, teens are growing up too fast because of media and the culture around them. More and more teens are becoming parents while they’re still starting the best years of their lives.
The best way to stop teen pregnancy is abstinence. Although this might sound a bit too “old school”, but it’s the only 100% safe sex and you can still talk to your teens about the value and how it can affect them. Below are a few tips to help make the “abstinence talk” a bit easier.
Plan when you’re going to talk to them about it because you want to have their full attention. Letting this slide or not taking this too seriously might let your teen think that it’s just something that they can just ignore. Show them how serious you are by actually taking the time to sit them down and talk about it.
Know what they think they know
Most teenagers are confused about safe sex, abstinence and sexually health in general. Ask them what they know about it and build up from there. One thing to remember is that you want to suggest abstinence to them, and not force it down their throat. Your teen has all the free will to choose what he or she will do. You’re there to guide them and point them to the right direction.
Tell them why you value it
They might understand you better if you tell them why u value abstinence. Talk about your past experiences on relationships, what you wish you could have changed and what decisions you’re thankful of making.
Do your homework
Know the math, statistics and facts about teen pregnancy and STD infection rates amongst teens. You’re not trying to scare them, but you want them to know the truth and the realities behind sex. If you can, gather data about abstinence, safe sex and non-protected sex and how this affects a teen’s life.
Be open
They probably have a million questions about relationships, intercourse, STDs, and the opposite sex after you open up about the topic. Most teens feel scared or awkward when talking to their parent about sex and relationships, so they rather just keep quiet about it. Be open minded and ask them if they have questions about it. Your answers can help them understand better.
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