How to Talk to Kids about STDs

Being aware of Sexually Transmitted Diseases is a vital part of sexual health. STDs can cause serious illness and even death, so when you are talking to your kids about sex, be sure to include the subject of STDs. What they don't know will hurt them.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Brush up on your own knowledge. You want to be sure the information you are sharing is accurate and up to date. Go to the Centers for Disease Control website to find comprehensive information about STDs.

2. Gauge the child's knowledge of STDs. Ask him questions in order to determine how much they already know. This will give you a great starting point for the beginning of the conversation.

3. Start with explaining the more widely known STDs; Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes, Syphilis, HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis and Pubic Lice are among the most common STDs.

4. Use language kids understand. The point of the conversation will be lost if you include too much technical information.

5. Concentrate on cause and effect. For example, the cause would be having sex with an infected person and the effect would be what happens if the disease goes untreated.

6. Keep the subject open. Covering every STD at once is too overwhelming; let the child know that the subject can be revisited at any time when questions or concerns arise.

Tips & Warnings

• Lower the level of discomfort by addressing it. Letting the child know that you are just as uncomfortable as they are talking about STDs will help ease the tension for both you and the child.
• Don't use childish words. Use the anatomically correct words for body parts. Using anything else is, well, childish.
• Don't speed through the conversation. Taking your time will allow the child to ask any questions or concerns that may arise.

Resources

• Find more tips on talking with kids at kidshealth.org.
• Get helpful hints on talking to kids on a wide variety of issues on talkingwithkids.org.
• Comprehensive information about STD's can be found on cdc.gov.

[brianjsmith]

on 6/10/2009 for more info about sexual health http://superedpack.com/category/men-s-health.html