How to Turn "the talk" Into a Conversation

We have all seen the classic media trope of parents arguing over which one of them needs to have "the talk" with their kids. Which ever parent loses then sits down with their child and awkwardly fumbles through topics like sex and periods with confusing metaphors and a look of horror on their faces.

A talk like this is not only not beneficial for the child, it can be quite harmful if they can sense the discomfort of their parent. Being a preteen is difficult enough as it is, from navigating school, friendships, and new emotions. The last thing needed is a dash of shame from their parent for completely natural parts of life. As a menstrual cycle educator, I try my absolute hardest to take away the shame that some kids feel, and I encourage parents to do the same.

Having just one "talk" could never be enough to answer every question that might be racing through a young person's mind. Instead, it is much more beneficial to revisit the topic as often as questions and curiosities arise. While some may see discussions about personal health, anatomy, and sex as a dreaded part of parenthood, I would encourage them to instead see it as a time to connect with their children and reassure them that their bodies are part of nature.

Of course, it is much easier said than done for both parent and child to not feel awkward when talking about these things. One of my favorite ideas is to have a place for children to write down questions or ideas (like a journal or a fishbowl with slips of paper) and then choose to either write back a response or sit and have a chat about it. Sometimes even just that extra bit of time can let the tension settle enough to come back to a place of intrigue.