It’s that time of the year when 4th and 5th graders get to take their “health” class! Too bad they can’t just call it sex ed, but we certainly don’t want to offend anyone, even when we all know what’s going to be taught.
Some parents get a bit worried when schools are required to offer state-mandated sex education classes. The quality of these classes varies wildly from totally open, positive and comprehensive to just “puberty ed” to some antiquated abstinence only curriculum designed to scare kids away from doing it.
I love sex ed in schools because it is one of the biggest door openers to conversations with your kids. All kinds of things come up during class, the most entertaining source is the anonymous question box!
If you are worried that school sex ed will somehow ruin your child or give them the wrong ideas or somehow be more powerful than you at this, then feel free to stop worrying.
There is no way in hell that school could ever be more influential than you are, unless you are leaving the sex ed up to the school. Which you are not, right? Right.
Sometimes parents ask me about opting their kids out of sex ed if they are already talking up a storm. I always tell them to keep their kids in the class. Kids need to know what their pals are learning, it gives them a chance to shine and be a smarty-pants and it gives parents a lot of opportunity to talk about sex, love and relationships.
Even if the curriculum is ancient, “abstinence” based and generally terrible, I still think kids should take the class. You will get some great stories out of it and probably some laughs as well.
This Spring/end of school year timing great, too, because it can set you up for a summer of inspired sex talking.
If you need some more inspiration or if you need a tune-up, check out my Birds & Bees Solutions Center. You will find help talking about all the things here – even things you haven’t considered yet.
Here’s a tip: Ask your kid what the funniest fact, question or body part name they’ve learned so far. And don’t forget to tell your kids what you remember about sex ed in school – they love these stories from our youth and childhood.
Take a peek – Birds & Bees Solutions Center
