Kids get their information from a thousand different sources - but if they're not getting it from YOU, then how can you expect them to make choices that you would be proud of? As a parent, you have a critical impact on your child and how they navigate the difficult and complicated waters of being a teen - but for them to know your thoughts on sex and pregnancy, you have to talk to them. The National Campaign offers the following ideas for getting the conversation started:
- Ten Tips for Parents:
Presented here are ten common sense lessons - many of which will seem familiar because they articulate what parents already know from experience. All ten are designed to help parents and adults reduce the risk of kids becoming pregnant during their teen years by delaying becoming sexually active, as well as encouraging the careful and correct use of contraception.
Also available in hard copy through the National Campaign Online Store (you will be redirected to TeenPregnancy.org).
- Talking Back: What Teens Want Adults to Know About Teen Pregnancy: Ever wondered what your teen is wishing you'd say to them? Or if they actually want to have The Talk but wouldn't dream of asking you? Get inside the minds of teens with Talking Back, a booklet featuring interviews and advice from real teens, gathered by the National Campaign. Presented as 12 “tips,” Talking Back makes clear that young people really do want to hear from their parents about sex, love, relationships, and values, even if they don’t always act like it.
Also available in hard copy through the National Campaign Online Store (you will be redirected to TeenPregnancy.org). - What's Your Relationship Reality?: Using facts, tips, and the opinions of real teens, this web portal offers advice to young people about developing healthy relationships and understanding that having sex doesn't necessarily mean being in a relationship (you will be redirected to StayTeen.org).
- With One Voice 2007: Each year the National Campaign commissions a nationwide independent survey of adults and teens. Many of these questions focus on parents and adults and their role in preventing unplanned pregnancy. Collected here is a sampling of polling results that parents may find of interest.