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Want to talk with your kids about sexuality, but not sure when to start, what to say, or how to keep the conversations ongoing?

Amy offers group discussions,   workshops, and  private consultations to give you the tools you need to keep talking.

Find out more...

call Amy at 212.686.5359

 

 

 

 

For Parents (and Caregivers)

Think about the ages of your children. 

Your children have received that many years worth of messages about sexuality. 

Whether your have infants, toddlers, young children, pre-teens, tweens, adolescents, or teens, many of these messages were likely provided from the world around them.  Most of these messages, especially those about your attitudes, beliefs, and values, are best coming from you!

Parents share messages with their children about a variety of health-related topics without thinking twice--these include how to eat nutritiously, to brush their teeth twice a day, to look both ways before crossing a street, to wear a seat belt in the car, to go out in a group, etc.--and, it's important to provide accurate and age-appropriate information about sexuality too!

Sexuality isn't solely about sexual behavior.

Sexuality is:

how we develop (including anatomy, physiology, body image, and sexual orientation)

how we embrace ourselves and each other (including families, friendships, dating, and intimate relationships)

how we look out for our best interests, as well as relate to others (including communication, assertiveness, and decision-making).

how we experience a spectrum of behaviors (including abstinence and shared experiences).

how we take care of our sexual health (including reproductive health, contraception, STDs, and sexual functioning).

how we maintain boundaries and empowerment in the event of conflict and/or trauma (including sexual abuse, harassment, and/or assault).

and, how we interact and learn from one another (including gender roles and diversity).

Talking with your children:

When it comes to sharing messages and information with children of any age, it's advisable for parents to take advantage of teachable moments—daily opportunities that occur when you are together.  Yet, many parents aren't sure how to react when caught off-guard by a child's curiosity about a sexuality-related topic, when to talk and what to say, how to handle sexuality-related scenarios, or how to identify and share messages and values about sexuality without the embarrassment.

Contact Amy to find out about private consultations that can help you address these important topics, and much more!  Sessions are specifically designed to meet your needs.

Check out Ask Amy--a Q & A column that provides expert advice on parents' pressing questions about sexuality, and more. 

Amy's recent projects include:

Providing private consultations and workshops for parents to help them talk with their children about sexuality. 

Providing workshops for professionals who work with parents.

Writing a curriculum for a Planned Parenthood affiliate that guides facilitators to lead workshops with parents.

Families Are Talking newsletters that Amy penned (while working at SIECUS) to help families communicate about sexuality-related issues.

Innovative Approaches to Increase Parent-Child Communication about Sexuality: Their Impact and Examples from the Field, Part II.  A SIECUS publication for educators, policymakers, parents, and others.

To find out more about these and other projects designed for your needs, contact Amy.