Talking to Kids About Sex and Dating

A weekly update of content from childmind.org featuring parenting advice, in-depth articles, and the latest thinking on children’s mental health and learning disorders.

February 7, 2023

We don’t expect kids to always make good decisions. But when it comes to sex and dating, it’s important for parents to talk to kids about the physical and emotional consequences of sex, no matter how awkward it feels for both parties.

This week on childmind.org, we round up resources on why it matters to talk to teens about sex and romantic relationships, and how to approach this sensitive topic. We dive into consent and how kids can confidently set and respect boundaries. We have tips on how to help kids deal with unwanted attention, as well as warning signs of sexual behaviors that are concerning. And we also outline some DOs and DON’Ts to help teens make good choices as they enter their first relationships.