Since we’re on the topic of helping parents be prepared to talk to their kids about sex, let’s talk about what resources you know of. I’ll be perfectly honest. My son is three, and we’re not even remotely thinking about the sex conversation yet, so I have no idea what books or resources there are. Some of you have already gone through this with your kids or you already actively recommend some books. Please share here. What books would you recommend and for what age is it best suited for? Please share in the comments!
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- The perfect age to talk to your kids about sex | Childrens Ministry Online - [...] the start of a foundation of healthy talks. Â Several people listed all kinds of great resources on this post…
I’m interested to see what resources people are using for this.
I’ve recommended the following sets to parents to parents. Both are great resources and take a “life-long approach” to sex education.
“God’s Design for Sex” series by Stan & Brenna Jones
http://www.christianbook.com/gods-design-for-sex-books-revised/stan-jones/pd/060130?item_code=WW&netp_id=458252&event=ESRCN&view=details
This series has just recently been updated. Very good resource. Books are age-graded beginning at age three and proceeding from there. Set includes a book written for parents as well.
“Learning About Sex” series put out Concordia Publishing.
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?action=Search&Ntk=multiple.series&Nso=1&Ns=product.published_date&Ntt=Learning%20About%20Sex
Another great resource. This begins at age 4 and proceeds from there. A great part of this series is that is broken down by sex and age. So there’s a set of books specific to girls and a set of books specific to boys. There’s also a DVD parents can use as part of “The Talk.” Set includes a book written for parents as well.
One final book that’s absolutely fantastic is the book “Who Made Me?” by Malcolm & Meryl Doney. I don’t know if you can get it new anymore but Amazon.com has used copies available.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1859855997/?tag=kidminonline-20
This is an absolutely fantastic book. It’s written for little kids but has all the stuff that ought to be talked about and in a way that celebrates God’s good creation.
On a more personal note, Kenny you said above, “My son is three, and we’re not even remotely thinking about the sex conversation yet . . .” I’d encourage you (and anyone else with young children especially) to start now not only thinking about the topic but speaking intentionally with your wife and Titus (I think that’s his name).
Get one of the sets above or both even and start with the books written for little kids. Read it every now and then and have it on their book shelf so they have access to it for the pictures and other items. This is a way to celebrate the way God has made boys and girls different. Start talking about it now. Take the “life-long” approach rather than a few talks once he gets older.
We suggest this book for parents:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YCQD8Y/?tag=kidminonline-20
I just read through it with our son (he’ll be 4 in June) and it went smooth as butter. I’ll be honest, I was hesitant about having the “talk” with him because he’s still little but, after talking with the book’s author when he visited our church last year, I felt like I’d give it a go.
Plus, I feel like I should try out resources before I stand behind them.
(also, as a sidenote, I’m stoked you’re doing this series. Just sayin’)
Hi all! Thanks for the great resource suggestions. I am thrilled to hear resources are available to start young and continue on steadily.
Nick, what Kenny maybe doesn’t know is that I
already got to have the first talk with Titus. We recently read a Charlie Brown encyclopedia about the human body. Apparently the reproductive system was the most important system to the author and worth mentioning first. 🙂 How’s that for a surprise! Ha!
These are great resources. With a 9-year old daughter, and two younger sons, we’re definitely in the midst of this, and it will be getting more important soon.
I totally agree with Nick that it really is never too young. In fact, I just wrote about (in a post about enforcing modesty), that subjects like this is actually 1 BIG conversation broken up into many, many little parts.
http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2011/01/at-what-age-do-we-need-to-dictate-more.html
My oldest son is 8, and we had the talk a few weeks ago. I really think each kid is different, and I’m not sure I’d talk to my other kids so early; but it is what it is.
When he gets a little older, I want to walk through the book, Flight Plan with him. I’ve read it, and it seems like a tremendous resource.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0615380611/?tag=kidminonline-20
Did you find this chapter from this old book?
http://christianbookshelf.org/alexander/the_boy_and_the_sunday_school/xv_sex_education_for_boys.htm
As a Director of Children’s Minstry, for years I have been a study leader for “Created by God” a study for parents and their tweens. Cokesbury has continually updated versions of this curriculum. The study calls for someone to be the overall leader and then to have pairs of male and female mentor leaders from the local congregation to help parents and their tweens(10-12) navigate the anxiety, help them begin the conversation using correct words and terminology. Some sessions are with parents, some sessions are with adult mentors and the closing session brings everyone together in a round table forum of some thought provoking questions to reinforce the dialogue about sexuality and faith. The study book for the tweens is very appropriate. http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=801951
We try to offer it every year at our church and often I lead it several other times a year at other churches. I am leading two in the next month and a half. We use a long weekend type setting. We know that the parents SHOULD have ongoing talks but we realize that it is often very difficult for them to actually start. We partner WITH them to help this happen.
I just found this old link from a past CMM article here: http://goo.gl/K5rzy
The books they recommended were as follows:
The Purity Code: http://goo.gl/fjOVl
Hooked: New Science on How Casual Sex is Affecting Our Children: http://goo.gl/WmIy9
Girls, Boys and Junior Sexualities: http://goo.gl/x4OID
Facing the Facts: The Truth About Sex and You: http://goo.gl/0lQ0i