Tips for Talking to your Teenager
While talking to your teenager about their sexual health can be a difficult and sometimes awkward thing to do, it’s important to keep in mind that the conversations you have together can be crucial in assisting them to make safe and informed choices.
Below are some useful tips for communicating effectively with your teenager:
Choose the right time and place to talk
- To minimise everyone’s discomfort, find casual opportunities (watching TV together, driving in the car, eating breakfast together, etc.) rather than sitting down for a planned talk
Let your teenager guide the conversation
- Don’t feel you need to do all the talking... listening is just as important!
Be open and prepared to discuss any topic
- Show your teenager that you are willing to discuss any topic that is obviously important to them at this time
If you don’t know the answer to one of their questions, go and find out!
- Assist your teenager to find appropriate information and resources that will help them to answer some of the more tricky questions they may ask. FPWA Sexual Health Services Library has a wide range of information for you and your teenager
Refrain from passing judgment
- To encourage regular, open communication between you and your teenager, refrain from making comments that are judgmental or comments that may make them uncomfortable and shut down
Show concern about risky behaviours and give praise for safe behaviours
- Encourage your teenager to make safe choices by praising them when they do and by demonstrating your concern over any risky behaviours they engage in, as well as the reasons behind how you feel
Refer them to someone who can do the talking for you!
- If you are uncomfortable discussing a certain topic, then refer your teenager to appropriate services or people who can assist in some way, like the Quarry Health Centre for Under 25s
Some good conversation starters
- What do your friends think about…
- It sounds like you’re upset about…
- What would you do if…
- Did you see that TV show on…
- What do you think about what (celebrity) did…
Some definite conversation stoppers!
- Have you had sex?
- You’re not pregnant are you?
- We’ll talk about it later…
- That was such a stupid thing to do!
- You did what?!
Page last updated Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:07
