Awkward Conversations Awkward Conversations Add video to playlist Create Playlist 01 Remove Playlist Masterbation Add Playlist Sexual Orientation Add Playlist Gender Add Playlist Teach Aurora about growing up Add Playlist programación de la ciencia e ingeniería Add Playlist AMAZE Playlist Add Playlist Libby’s Videos Remove Playlist Ben’s videos Add Playlist Learning Add Playlist Lucy’s Growing-up Add Playlist Kahlan Remove Playlist Let’s be family, let’s learn to talk to each other respectfully! Add Playlist Caryn Add Playlist Oliver Add Playlist Noah Add Playlist Knowledge Add Playlist Healthy Relationships Add Playlist Watched Add Playlist Human Sexuality Videos – Spring 2020 COVID 19 Add Playlist Puberty Add Playlist Sex-ed Add Playlist The List Add Playlist Zachary Add Playlist High School Youth Add Playlist Middle School Youth Add Playlist 6th Unit 4 Puberty and Human Reproduction Add Playlist Joshua Add Playlist kid Add Playlist Amina Remove Playlist Puberty Talk Add Playlist Grade 8 Add Playlist Grade 7 Add Playlist Grade 6 Add Playlist Boy 12 Remove Playlist first Add Playlist Reproduction Add Playlist Important info about life Add Playlist About your body Add Playlist Puberty Add Playlist Lilly’s Homeschool Add Playlist sex Add Playlist girls Add Playlist period Add Playlist boys Add Playlist done Add Playlist Stages of pregancy Add Playlist Stages of Pregnancy Add Playlist Human Bio – Reproductive Unit Add Playlist zoey Add Playlist Zoey Add Playlist happy wholesome hour Add Playlist pride info or something Add Playlist Questions & Answers Add Playlist Madeline Add Playlist Olivia Add Playlist Abigail Add Playlist sex ed class 2020 Add Playlist Esme Remove Playlist Abby’s video list Add Playlist Gender Identity Add Playlist Anna Add Playlist Emily Add Playlist Emily Add Playlist Health 8th Grade Remove Playlist Lova Add Playlist Romany Add Playlist Kids Remove Playlist Puberty Add Playlist Grade 6 – Personal Safety Add Playlist Grade 6 – Puberty Remove Playlist 10 yrs Add Playlist Male Reproductive System Add Playlist Female Reproductive System Add Playlist practice playlist Remove Playlist Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Add Playlist Relationships Add Playlist Safety Add Playlist Sex Add Playlist Girl Puberty Add Playlist Boy Puberty Add Playlist lgbtq+ Add Playlist puberty Add Playlist puberty Remove Playlist All about my body and what’s to come Add Playlist Frankie Add Playlist Lily Add Playlist Holden Add Playlist Marek Add Playlist BasicEd Add Playlist Cole Add Playlist 8th grade Health Add Playlist Sexuality education middle school Add Playlist Estratégia Empresarial Add Playlist Videos for 9th Graders, Curated by Al Vernacchio (MSEd) Add Playlist saved Add Playlist fisica y quimica Add Playlist Pey Add Playlist Sex Ed Add Playlist Eamon Add Playlist Awkward Conversations | Classroom Favorite Communication Anxiety Friends Self-esteem family listening School Ready Youth Sometimes it can be awkward to ask a parent or trusted adult questions about puberty and sex. As uncomfortable as it may feel, remember that they were once your age and went through the same things you are going through. A parent or adult you trust can provide the support you deserve as you go through puberty. That’s why it is important for you to have at least one adult you trust and can talk with. Choose someone you think is a good listener and won’t be judgmental. Choose someone who will help you figure out what to do in a tough spot or help you process your feelings and thoughts. Look for someone you admire—someone you think you might like to grow up to be like one day. Ask yourself, Do I respect this person? Do I trust them? Will they take me seriously? Will they respect me and not judge me? Trusted adults can be your parents, grandparents, other relatives, caregivers, teachers or coaches. Even your friends’ parents can provide advice, answer difficult questions, share their values and/or faith traditions and help you as you grow into an adult. Regardless of who a trusted adult is to you, what matters is that this person provide the support you need and deserve. FAQs I am so embarrassed to talk with my parents about this stuff. What can I do? It is totally normal to feel embarrassed to talk about these topics with your parents, especially if your family has never talked about puberty and growing up. However, it is important to remember that adults were your age at one point in their lives, and they have a lot of experience with these topics. You may be surprised how open and willing they are to talk. If you still don’t feel like you can talk to a parent, you can identify another adult that you trust to have these conversations with. This might be another relative, a teacher, a coach, a guidance counselor or even a friend’s parent. My mom wants to talk about this stuff with me all the time, and I am just so embarrassed. What can I do? It is totally normal to feel embarrassed to talk about these topics with your parents. Most likely, your mom just wants to show you that she supports you and that you can talk to her if you have questions. If you feel like she is being too pushy or overbearing, just let her know that you aren’t ready to talk about these topics right now, but if and when you are ready, you understand that she is there for you. RELATED VIDEOS How to Be a Good Listener Conversations to Have with an Adult: Puberty, Emotions and more! Active Listening: How To Communicate Effectively How to Talk to Girls, Boys and Everyone in Between Close Close Close Close ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Sex, Etc. KidsHealth Parents Adolescence can be an exciting and challenging time when both young people’s bodies and minds are going through lots of changes. Having at least one trusted adult they can talk to about sensitive topics, such as puberty, their feelings and growing up, really helps. Trusted adults can be parents, grandparents, other relatives, caregivers, teachers or coaches. Even a young person’s friends’ parents can provide advice, answer difficult questions, share their values and/or faith traditions. Regardless of who a trusted adult is, what matters is that this person provide the support a young person needs and deserves. This is especially true for young people facing additional physical, emotional or social challenges. Young people can feel awkward and nervous about talking with adults, especially if they know adults are going to judge or lecture them. While an adult may want to do all of the talking and tell a young person how to feel and what to think, this is a sure way to have a young person withdraw. An adult who listens to what young people have to say and respects their experiences and perspectives will earn their trust. If a young person does not feel judged, that young person is more likely to be honest with an adult and seek out help if they get into trouble, feel uncomfortable at a party or need help handling a tough situation. CONVERSATION STARTERS Effective communication is the foundation of healthy relationships, and this is true for relationships between young people and their parents, caregivers or other trusted adults. As a parent or trusted adult, you can help your child or another young person practice good communication skills by demonstrating healthy communication skills in your conversations with them and being a supportive listener when a young person needs help. The easiest way to start conversations about communication is to talk about it as it comes up in everyday life, like while watching a show or movie together. Here are some ways to start these conversations: Discussion Questions If you are watching a show or movie where a young person and a trusted adult are displaying positive communication... If you are watching a show or movie where a young person and a trusted adult are displaying positive communication and a safe and supportive relationship, you can ask your child whether they feel like they have that type of relationship with you or another trusted adult. If you notice that your child is having a bad day or feeling down... If you notice that your child is having a bad day or feeling down, remind them that you are there for them if and when they feel ready to talk about what is going on. This opens the door to communication and shows that you are available and willing to be a good listener. Educators Adolescence can be an exciting and challenging time when both young people’s bodies and minds are going through lots of changes. Having at least one trusted adult they can talk to about sensitive topics, such as puberty, their feelings and growing up, really helps. Trusted adults can be parents, grandparents, other relatives, caregivers, teachers or coaches. Even a young person’s friends’ parents can provide advice, answer difficult questions, share their values and/or faith traditions. Regardless of who a trusted adult is, what matters is that this person provide the support a young person needs and deserves. This is especially true for young people facing additional physical, emotional or social challenges. Young people can feel awkward and nervous about talking with adults, especially if they know adults are going to judge or lecture them. While an adult may want to do all of the talking and tell a young person how to feel and what to think, this is a sure way to have a young person withdraw. An adult who listens to what young people have to say and respects their experiences and perspectives will earn their trust. If a young person does not feel judged, that young person is more likely to be honest with an adult and seek out help if they get into trouble, feel uncomfortable at a party or need help thinking through how to handle a tough situation. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Additional Resources Advocates for Youth Answer Planned Parenthood SIECUS YTH Lesson Plans 8th Grade—Lesson 2: The World Around Me When I Was A Teenager Like Mother Like Son? Breaking The Ice Books Talk to Me First: Everything You Need to Know to Become Your Kids’ "Go-To" Person About Sex Deborah Roffman