The Truth About Parents & Sexual Health Education

spoiler alert: parents are powerful

“Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older they judge them; sometimes they forgive them.” –Oscar Wilde

Photo by Sven Mieke on Unsplash

Hello Sweet Readers,

This afternoon, my parents arrive via ferry to visit a place I treasure, and I’m reflecting on my anxiety.

In my mom and dad’s presence, I can shape-shift between an impressionable little girl, a righteous teenager, and a proud mother. The subconscious bosses me around as I try to lasso words back into my mouth or give myself an invisible hug while meandering through ordinary interactions. I’m bracing myself for my mother’s off comments and looking forward to my father’s approval. Does this happen to anyone else?

This week's post is brief, but I want to highlight one truth about sexuality education: Parents are powerful.

My nearly 70 year old parents do not know about the work I do as a sexuality educator (that’s kind of embarrassing to say, but it’s true😬). If my mother’s comments accidentally cut too deep, or a hint of disapproval sounded in my father’s sweet voice, I fear I’d find a reason to stop my sexual education work.

My parents have rung themselves dry providing me with everything they possible could - they sort of still do. Although sexual education was not on the table, and I wish it was.

Why can there such a chasm about sexual health communication in one of our most powerful, cherished human bonds?

For the next few days, I’ll be reminding myself that parents are beautifully flawed humans who love and guide the best way they know how. Just like me…. and maybe you too, sweet reader?

“Love your parents. We are so busy growing up, we often forget they are also growing old.” –Unknown

I’m so grateful that you take a few moments to read Winning Sex Ed.

Please share a comment if anything resonates and you’d like to share. We gain strength from each other.

xo,

Tara