Wednesday, December 13th I $30 - $50 sliding scale, no one turned away
Many parents and caregivers struggle with talking to their children about puberty and sexuality. Despite this difficulty, thoughtful communication with children about sexuality is critical, as it allows us as parents to effectively impart our values to our children, which in turn profoundly influences their ability to make informed decisions with far-reaching implications for their safety, health, and happiness. By learning how to engage in effective conversations with our children about puberty and sexuality, we not only provide them with security and confidence, but also form a closer parent-child relationship built on love and mutual trust that yields stronger self esteem, increased body awareness, and the ability to communicate feelings, advocate for their health, and stand up for themselves.
Objectives:
Parents/caregivers will be able to identify healthy sexual development/behaviors
Parents/caregivers will explore their values about sex and sexuality
Parents/caregivers will practice conversation starters for talking with their child
Parents/caregivers will explore resources to support their ongoing conversations
Outline
Introductions, quick overview of research about talking with your child about sexuality
Healthy sexual development: we will review 9-12, 13+ and discuss what is healthy and possible concerns
Defining values, values clarification: opportunity to clarify your values about sexuality and identify what you want to communicate with your tweens/teens
Tips and communication practice-using scenarios based in development of tween/teen, parents/caregivers will practice answering questions, asking questions, and initiating conversation
Resource share: we will review favorite books for parents and tweens/teens, as well as share a few additional online resources
Elizabeth Greenblatt has been teaching about sexuality for over 25 years. Elizabeth found her passion at 14 years old when she helped to organize fellow students to expand their school’s sex education curriculum beyond Abstinence Only. After graduating with a specialized major in Human Sexuality from Ithaca College, Elizabeth continued working as a community health educator and education manager at Planned Parenthood in northern California for 12 years, earning her MPH from San Francisco State. Elizabeth provides ongoing classroom education, workshops, professional development, program and curriculum development, and other consulting support individually and with Sex Savvy Hudson Valley. Elizabeth is currently working towards a master’s in marriage and family therapy with a concentration in systemic sex therapy at National University.