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The importance of communicating with your troubled teenager about sex and pregnancy cannot be forgone. It would help if you spoke with your child about the following:
• Provide your teenager with actual examples of teenage moms or dads. Better yet, arrange a chance for your teen to speak with them in order for him/her to get a clear picture of how hard it may be.
• Be direct in your approach concerning sex and pregnancy. Your adolescents are at a stage in their lives where love and sex emerge as powerful influences. Without the proper guidance, your child may be easily stirred by the emergence of feelings within him and this may lead to his giving into impulsive behavior.
• Explain your reasons for frowning upon pre-marital sex. Even as these may seem like common sense to you, you owe it to your child to clarify your viewpoint on the issue. It would help also if you asked questions in order to get a take on your teenager’s perspective. Respect their viewpoints even as you explain yours. Try and put yourself in their shoes, and remember what it was like and what went through your head concerning sex when you were a teenager.
• Regardless if you know you’re teenager is sexually active or not, it is important for him/her to be knowledgeable about contraception and the various sexually transmitted diseases.
• Do not be afraid if your teenager has questions about sex or contraception. Knowledge is power. Rest assured that it is always a good sign if your troubled teen is coming to you for information rather than other unsure sources. Answering his/her questions is not equivalent to promoting sexual activity. You are providing your child with the tools he or she needs to survive adolescence and its stages of sexual awakening.
• Even before you are faced with a situation such as teen pregnancy, provide your child with the proper guidance and support he/she needs to steer away from such a dilemma. As they say, the best offense can be a good defense. Showing positive affirmation for the correct behavior can further encourage it.
• Don’t leave your teenager in situations where sexual activity may possibly occur. If you make sure that no possible opportunities or chance occurrences for sex are available to your child, then you can significantly reduce his/her chances of engaging in sexual activity. Keep your teen busy with productive activities.
• Your own relationship with your spouse can be a great way to portray the importance of the role of communication in a relationship. Learning by example is a powerful tool. Use it to your advantage with your teenager.
• Contrary to other beliefs, it is a good idea to open up the topic of sexuality with your child when he/she is younger in order not to suddenly shock him/her with issues all of a sudden at one time. Bit by bit, a parent can introduce more about one’s sexuality to his/her child as he/she reaches the appropriate stages.
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