Say hello to your step-by-step guide.

FAQS

What are your qualifications to write this guide? 

I earned a bachelor's degree in Human Development (the majority of which focused on child development, specifically) and a master's degree in Marriage, Family, & Human Development with a research emphasis on healthy sexuality. I am a gender and sexuality researcher who has spent hundreds of hours studying how to best address these topics with children and teens. And, I'm a new mama who cares deeply about offering my kids a healthy, shame-free sex education. 

Is the guide meant only for Christian families? 

Short answer: No! Because beliefs vary dramatically from family to family, this guide focuses on the "must haves" of sex ed—things I believe every child should know. Then, in the Family Values section, I help parents solidify what sexual morals they want to teach and provide guidance on how to do so in a healthy, shame-free way. For example, in the Timing of Sex section, I provide detailed information on how to teach teens to wait until 1) they are in a safe relationship, 2) they are in a long-term committed relationship or 3) they are married. Families choose which approach they want to take, I help them do that in healthy ways.

Does this guide take an abstinence-only approach to sex ed? 

No, it doesn't. It is my professional opinion that all teenagers should learn about healthy, safe sexual relationships, regardless of family values. Research consistently shows that teens who receive comprehensive, ongoing sex education (including pregnancy and STI prevention) become sexually active later in life and are more likely to use “safe sex” practices compared to those who don’t receive it. This guide provides you with the information you need to offer that education to your children. 

If I purchase it, can I share the guide with friends or family members?

I know you want to share things that you love (which I definitely hope is how you feel about the guide). However, each purchase of the guide can only be used by members of a single household. I have done my best to price the guide to be accessible to as many families as possible. Please do not send the PDF or print copies for anyone outside your home.

Can I print the guide? Or can I only access it digitally? 

Once you purchase the PDF, it is yours to use however you would like. Feel free to have it printed (and bound, if you're feeling fancy) if you would like to have a hard copy. As long as you do not share the guide with others outside of your household, you are welcome to download it and/or print it as many times as you would like. 

Is there a version for younger kids? Mine are not in the 10-18 range yet. 

There sure is! My guide for younger children, Teaching Kids about Sex, provides information for teaching children ages 0-9. You can purchase the guides as a bundle (at a discounted price, huzzah!) or individually. To purchase the guide for younger children, navigate to the "Parents" page in the website menu and both guides will be highlighted near the top of the page. 

How does this guide address LGBTQ+ topics?

Because beliefs on these topics are so varied, especially within religious communities, I cannot tell you exactly what you should or shouldn’t teach your children (nor should I). The guide does, however, provide information to help parents better understand the LGBTQ+ community (including a brief glossary of terms) as well as suggestions for addressing these topics in a way that will foster compassion, open communication, and healthy lifelong parent-child relationships. The guide also includes a list of resources for parents of LGBTQ+ children.