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TIPS FOR ENCOURAGING YOUR TEEN TO WAIT

 

Discuss your feelings and tell them why.

  • Be direct and honest about your feelings for wanting your child to wait to have sex.

  • Be specific about your feelings. Discuss with them if you want them to wait to kiss, touch, or have intercourse and share your reasons.

  • Tell them why you want them to wait and help them think through their own reasons to wait.

  • Be prepared to answer questions about relationships and sex.

  • If you are uncomfortable talking about sex, tell your child.  He or she may be uncomfortable too. Make sure they know who else they can talk with - a counselor, a healthcare provider, or another trusted adult.



Act on teachable moments.

  • Talk about dating when you see two people holding hands while walking in the mall.

  • Bring up the subject of waiting after you watch a TV program about teen pregnancy or sexual transmitted diseases.

Discuss concerns of pregnancy, STDs and HIV.

  • Give your child accurate information about safe sex and birth control.

  • For some teens, the risk of an unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is enough of a reason to wait.

 

Start talking early.

  • Help your child think through the decision to wait early - before he or she is in a serious relationship and discuss why you want them to be prepared.

  • Talk to your child again when they start dating.

Discuss sexual feelings.

  • Inform your child that sexual feelings are normal, but they don't need to act on them.

  • Teach them other ways to show love and affection such as gifts and spending time together.

  • Encourage abstinence, even if your child has had sex.

Talk about sexual pressure and how to say no.

  • Encourage your child to talk about limits before a relationship heats up.

  • Discuss situations that may be hard to say no such as being alone on a date or dating someone older.

  • Suggest to your child avoiding those situations by planning group dates or spending time in public areas.

  • Discuss how using alcohol or drugs may make it harder to say no.

Discuss future plans.

  • Discuss with your child his or her plans for the future, in one year or in five years.

  • Explain how unprotected sex can interfere with future plans and goals.

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