Don’t Let Silence Mislead Your Child

Every parent wants to protect their child. But protection should not mean keeping a child uninformed about their body, health, boundaries and responsibilities.

Some parents are uncomfortable discussing menstruation, puberty and sex education with their children. They may believe that talking about these subjects will encourage them to become sexually active. But refusing to have the conversation does not stop children from growing up or facing these realities.

The real question is: If parents do not educate their children, who will? A girl should be able to understand menstruation, know how to track her menstrual cycle, maintain proper hygiene and understand when something may require medical attention. She should not have to depend entirely on friends, social media or strangers to understand her own body.

The same applies to boys. Parents should teach their sons about respect, boundaries, self-control, responsibility and the consequences of their actions. Boys also need proper guidance about growing up and how their decisions can affect themselves and others.

Teaching children age-appropriate sex education does not mean encouraging them to have sex. Parents can teach abstinence, faith, morality and discipline while also giving their children the knowledge they need to understand their bodies, recognise inappropriate behaviour and make responsible decisions.

The danger can come when a child is too afraid to ask questions at home.

When children cannot find answers from their parents, they may look elsewhere. And not everyone who provides information has their best interests at heart.

Parents should therefore create a home where difficult questions can be discussed responsibly. A child needs boundaries, but also explanations. They need discipline, but also understanding.

Being morally upright should never mean keeping a child ignorant. Do not wait until your child makes a serious mistake before having the conversation you were once too uncomfortable to have.

Give your children values. Give them discipline. Give them faith. But give them knowledge too. Because you cannot protect a child from every danger by keeping them uninformed.

Sometimes, the conversation you are afraid to have is the conversation that could help protect them.

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Tags: Parenting, Child Health, Sex Education