Foster Parent-Child Connectedness
Parents Say
"When I was a kid, my folks never talked to me about sex. I'm determined to be a parent my girls can talk to."
Kathi, mother of 11-year-old Emily and 9-year-old Lauren
Be an Ally. Support parents and kids!
As a health care provider, educator, or other professional serving families, you can help both kids and parents communicate better with each other about sex. You can:
- Motivate kids to share their concerns with their parents and ask questions.
- Encourage parents to learn more about sexual and reproductive health
- Help parents feel comfortable talking with their kids.
- Help both parents and teens to share the information teens need. That way, teens can avoid pregnancy and prevent STDs.
This section of the website highlights the following helpful information for professionals serving families:
- Helping Parents and Teens Stay Connected: Encourage children teens and parents to keep the lines of communication open.
- Encouraging Family Agreements:One great way to foster family communication is to promote the technigue of establishing family agreements.
- Preventing Teen Partner Abuse: Help parents and teens learn what they need to know to encourage healthy relationships.
- Understanding Mandatory Reporting and Minor Consent:Make sure you know the laws in your state and communicate clearly with parents and teens.
- Providing Confidential Healthcare for Teens: Teen clients are more likely to talk with you about sex and other sensitive topics if they have time with you on their own.
- Talking to Teens about Mandated Reporting: Part of keeping kids safe and healthy is reporting abuse when you hear about it. Find out how to explain the limits of confidentiality.
- Talking Parents about the HPV Vaccine: As an educator or health professional, you can give parents clear, accurate messages about the HPV vaccine.
