Parenting In A Sexualized, Digital Age Намуна

Starting the Conversation

So many parents are paralyzed by the fear of talking about their failures with their kids, that they decide not to bring up the subject of sex at all. The evil one prefers nothing more. Don’t fall for this trap! The redemptive work of Jesus on the cross has given us pardon and victory in every area of our lives. When your kids ask you about your past and how you did, answer them honestly. It doesn’t need to be a confession of every detail, but it should be honest: “Frankly, I didn’t do so well, and I want to help you avoid the pain and consequences that I suffered as a result of my decisions.”

You are the one God has chosen to parent your children. He didn’t mess that up. The most important thing is that we are regularly communicating with our kids. As with any relationship, there will be miscommunication, misunderstanding, and misfiring, but nothing can replace the intuition and intimacy you have with the young people in your life. Moreover, the truth proclaimed in His Word is never off limits for us to share.

By way of example, when you teach children about something like trees, you intuitively know that at age two about all they can handle is “this is a tree.” As they grow you may begin to describe various trees by their names—Maple, Oak, Pine. You’ll address the different parts—branches, trunk, roots—or various functions—beauty, shade, oxygen. Eventually you may turn to the symbolism or artistic merit of trees. And one day before you know it, your young pupil will be in a collegiate level botany class teaching you!

Notice how in this context, the natural progression of conversation doesn’t seem so intimidating? It can be this way with sex too—another one of God’s brilliant, creative ideas that we are free in Him to experience and discuss.