You caught your child watching pornography. You talked about it and have a handle on the situation. But now you are wondering: Should I bring up the subject again? And, if so, how often should I talk to my child about pornography? Will my relationship with my child stay healthy if I go back to the topic too often?
This episode is part of our #DearSavvy series. Sometimes you just want a quick answer to a burning question. These shorter episodes are designed to give you just that. Tune in to the podcast to hear the whole scoop, and check out the show notes for helpful tools and information. If you’d like to submit a question, click here to Contact Us.
Dear Savvy: How often should I talk to my child about pornography?
Dear Listener,
We get it. We want our children to know we are there for them and we care for them. We want to protect them. But we don’t want to hover and micromanage their world, which could alienate them. It’s a delicate balance.
Here’s what we discussed today:
- Be upfront and honest. Let your child know you plan to come back to the conversation regularly.
- Done is better than perfect. Accept that you will make mistakes and say some wrong things along the way. But the more you talk the easier it will be to decipher your child’s needs.
- Read the situation. Have enough discussions to discern your child’s level of involvement with pornography. Adjust your regular check-in’s accordingly.
- Keep talking. Look for open doors to integrate the topic of pornography into your normal conversations.
On the surface, your child may not be thrilled when you keep asking about their tech use or how well they’re staying away from pornography. But underneath any tough exterior they really do need our help! Freedom from pornography is a team effort. Smith Alley, teen founder of Live Life Bigger reminds us that too many kids struggle in silence and feel alone.
“I was struggling. But I was so good at putting up a mask. And I think a lot of kids are.” —Smith Alley
Episode challenge
Journal ideas about when and how to bring up the conversation (i.e. car ride, lunch date, everyday activities). To help you get started and inspire you with different ways to start the conversation, download our FREE guide 10 Natural Ways to Talk to Your Kids About Pornography.
Do you have a question for Dear Savvy? You can click here to Contact Us, email us at admin@parentsaware.info, or submit your question through any of our social media platforms. We’d love to hear from you!
Links/Resources
Blog post: I Panicked When My Child Confided in Me About Porn, Now What?
Ep. #2-26, What Teens Want Parents to Know About the Porn Talk, with Creed Orme
Ep. #2-30, The Strength of Dads in the Fight Against Porn with Josh Gilman, Strength to Fight
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