It’s normal. It’s natural. Everyone goes through it! And every kid has LOTS of questions. Yet, for many families talking about puberty still feels awkward and embarrassing to mention—leaving kids to sort through confusing information on their own. Often, that’s whatever media and friends throw their way. That doesn’t seem fair or terribly healthy, does it? So, how can we move past any discomfort and learn to embrace the new puberty talks for a media-saturated world?
This week, I got to connect with Rowena Thomas, who is the facilitator of Amazing Me in Sydney, Australia. Rowena provides programs to schools and resources for parents and kids about sex and puberty. I met Rowena through Instagram, where I immediately fell in love with her bright, cheerful, and exuberant posts. Her message is that conversations with our kids about sex can be more fun and less complicated!
If you are looking for a comfortable way to talk to your preteen about the changes going on in their body, this is the woman to turn to. I believe she has read and reviewed almost every book on the subject. Rowena says she loves empowering families, strengthening relationships, and helping young people grow their self-esteem.
Puberty Talks For a Media-Saturated World
I brought Rowena onto the podcast because I want to know what we can do to help our kids make the transition through adolescence a little smoother. A little less awkward. And most importantly, less fraught with questions that could lead them to search online if they think mom or dad won’t talk about all that’s going on with their changing body. Why do we get so nervous talking to our kids about sex anyway? Let’s find out!
In this episode:
- Have a laugh! Focus on the positive aspects of puberty and growing up. Kids won’t see this as a taboo subject unless we make it that way. They are like sponges and eager to take in what we offer.
- Bring in your personal experience. Talking about puberty and sex doesn’t have to be all science and mechanics. Your child will respond best to puberty talks if you can make them relatable.
- Sorry is a powerful word. You won’t have all the answers all the time. You will make mistakes. But you’re allowed to go back and try again.
- Think of end outcomes. It’s easier to find the courage to talk to your child about puberty and sex today if you think of long-term gains.
Episode challenge
Be a proactive parent. Start a puberty talk with your child this week. But have fun with it. One idea is to tell them a story from when you were a preteen. Something (anything!) about when you first experienced puberty. Alternatively, the next time you’re in the car listening to the radio, ask your child what they think the song is about. It’s an easy segue to talk about sex since (pssst!) most songs are about sex.
Download our FREE guide
Teaching children the basics of body safety fits in perfectly with sex and puberty talks. Help them identify risky situations and safeguard them from sexual exploitation with our 5 Body Safety Tips for Kids guide. Download your FREE printable here. http://bit.ly/Body-Safety-Tips
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the show, please leave a positive review or tell a friend!
More about today’s guest
The facilitator of AMAZING ME, Rowena is a primary school teacher, with more than 25 years of experience in sexuality education and a mum of three adult children. Rowena understands the many complexities and challenges when talking about sex at different stages in a child’s life. She is passionate when talking about sex and puberty with the goal that open and positive conversations will be started and continued, that puberty is ‘normalized’, relationships enriched and strengthened, and as a result, wise choices are made in the future. Rowena and her husband also run a charity called Project Help India which runs 7 small schools, educating 350 kids, and employing 20 locals.
Links/Resources
Amazing Me Instagram: @amazingme.education
Amazing Me website: www.amazingme.com.au
*Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means, at no additional cost to you, Parents Aware/Media Savvy Moms receives a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thanks for helping to support us in our mission to protect families from the harms of pornography.
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