Conversations about sex can be nerve-wracking for both parents and kids. For the parents, ‘The Talk’ is sometimes avoided because they fear it would encourage their kids to have sex. For the kids, they may hold back on asking questions about sex because they consider the topic awkward. This reaction is primarily noticeable in teenagers, so having an open dialogue about sex with your child early is essential.

For several reasons, a child’s foundation of sex education needs to come from their parents and guardians. Not only does it create a bond between parents and their children, but it also gives your kids the confidence to talk to you about anything. That way, they become more open to you about their sexual health and make safer decisions. Sex education and conversation can also help keep your kids safe from sexual abusers.

It is never too late or too early to have ‘The Talk’. The conversation should start early and evolve with age, before kids get misinformed about sex by the internet, their friends or siblings. Between the ages of two and five, for example, you can start to educate your kids about consent and being touched by other people. Kids at this age become curious about their body parts and growth. They also might have questions concerning pregnancy and how babies are made.