Parenting is hard work! Just when you think you have things figured out, your child grows and enters a new stage and you have to adjust, change and learn right along with them. There are so many important things to teach your children between the time they are born and the time they move out of the house. One topic that is often delegated to school or church to teach, and sometimes ignored or pushed to the back burner “for later”, is that of sex, sexual abuse and pornography. “The talk” shouldn’t be a one-time conversation. It should be an ongoing discussion between children and parents that can begin when they’re very young and set the stage for a biblical understanding of sex.
As parents, it is our responsibility and privilege to speak into the lives of our children and guide them as they grow up. There are many resources available to help parents navigate these often uncomfortable topics. Below is a list of a few of them to help you get started. Simply click on the titles to get to the websites. Parents, we want to encourage you in your parenting journey and help you navigate these tough topics with your children. To make it easier for you to begin these conversations with your kids, all the books listed below are available for families to checkout and borrow for a week or two at a time. Please ask how to do so at the Kidway check-in area at your campus on a Sunday morning or send an email to bgreen@gatewayepc.org.
RightNow Media - there are several series on RightNow Media that are helpful for parents. Here are a couple to check out:
The Sex Dilemma by Joanna Hyatt (for parents)
“Overwhelmed by the bombardment of messages to your kids pushing them towards sex? Unsure of how to begin talking, or if you're even the best person for the job? In this five-part series, you'll get a clear understanding of why it's so important for you (yes, you!) to engage your kids in these conversations, what to talk about and how to get started.”
The Whole Sex Talk by Joanna Hyatt (for parents)
“The Whole Sex Talk is a Biblically-based, six-session multimedia program that empowers parents to have healthy, ongoing conversations with their kids about love, sex, and relationships. The sessions utilize poignant short films, mini documentaries, graphics and animations, brutally honest parent and teen testimonials, expert panel interviews, roundtable discussions, and more.”
Teaching Healthy Sexuality - Podcast
Even though most parents did not receive healthy Biblical sex education from their parents, all studies show that the more positive, healthy, sex education taught from home, the less promiscuous and confused our kids will be. In this episode, Brian Siewert talks with parenting expert Jim Burns about how to teach our children the Purity Code and what to teach our kids from age 3 through the teen years.
The Passport to Purity Podcast Series
Passport to Purity by Dennis and Barbara Rainey (Preteens) - CD Set and Parent Guide
Passport to Purity is a resource that helps you go deeper in some of the tougher topics that parents and children need to discuss. Inside this kit you will find information about how to prepare for a life-changing weekend away with your preteen. It includes a parent’s guide, a journal for your preteen, and a set of CD’s. The directions are easy to follow. You DEFINITELY want to read the Parent's Guide (AHEAD OF TIME). It lays out the agenda for each day and helps you prepare and have all the supplies you will need for your weekend away. If you have time, listen to the CDs ahead of time as well, which is not required, but will prove beneficial.
Focus on the Family has many helpful articles about Sex Education for all ages and stages here: Sex Education Archives
God Made All of Me by Justin S Holcomb (2 - 8 year old kids)
“God Made All of Me is a simply-told, beautifully-illustrated story to help families talk about these sensitive issues with two- to eight-year-old children. Because the private parts of our bodies are private, the home is the ideal environment where a child should learn about his or her body and how it should be treated by others.”
The Swimsuit Lesson by Jon Holsten (Preschool age kids)
“The Swimsuit Lesson is a powerful family resource - introducing a simple, yet effective way for parents to educate their children about the danger of sexual abuse. Written by a police sergeant, this book includes a separate step-by-step parent's guide providing a realistic view of the danger facing children today, ways for families to reduce chances of being victimized, and specific steps to take if a child is abused.”
God’s Design for Sex Series by Stan and Brenna Jones (4 books, each for different ages, 3 yrs +)
“Prepare your kids now for the pressures and relationships they'll experience as teens and adults. These award-winning illustrated books give you age-appropriate, biblically based information to help you talk openly with your children about sex and answer their questions about God's design for families; breastfeeding; puberty; intercourse; and other tough issues.”
Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn Proofing Today’s Kids By Kristen A. Jenson (8 years old +)
“Want a natural and comfortable way to talk to your kids about pornography? This newly revised edition of the original bestseller makes that daunting discussion easy! Good Pictures Bad Pictures is a read-aloud story about a mom and dad who explain what pornography is, why it’s dangerous, and how to reject it.”
Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr. by Kristen A. Jenson (3 - 6 year old)
“Young children deserve to be armed early against internet dangers. Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr. makes it easy for parents to protect their young kids ages 3 to 6. Using gentle, age-appropriate messages, children will learn to Turn, Run & Tell when they are accidentally exposed to inappropriate content.”
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