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Roffman’s (Sex and Sensibility) latest book prepares parents to talk to their children and teens about sex.
The approach she uses when answering a child’s question is based on a five needs/five roles paradigm. She explains when and how to use Affirmation, Information, Clarity About Values, Setting Limits, and Anticipatory Guidance when discussing sexual topics by referring to a case study and numerous real-life situations.
The examples she provides include children and teens, both heterosexual and homosexual. Parents will get a clear understanding of the sexual messages youth are exposed to today and how it can affect them in future relationships.
To ensure a healthy sexual development, parents are encouraged to communicate with their children in an honest and age-appropriate way. For example, she will teach a grade seven class that although hormones are racing through their body, they can control their own mood and behavior.
She believes it’s important to dispel myths about the body (wet dreams can occur without having dreams about sex) and to clarify terms (menstrual cycle/ menstrual period, stomach/uterus). Italicized words indicate what to emphasis, and simple tips help parents clarify terms and definitions.
Although there are no diagrams or illustrations in the book, there is a bibliography of books and websites in the Family Resources list. The book does begin with a startling revelation that will convince parents to read further, but the information contained in the appendix entitled “Some Basic Facts All Adults Should Know” may have been better utilized had it been situated at the beginning of the book instead of near the end. It contains important, condensed information to questions that many parents may have about sex education and their children.
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Talk to Me First: Everything You Need to Know to Become Your Kids' Go-To Person about Sex