with your thoughts here. I don't think there are many things more important than preparing your child to deal with the pressures involved in growing up, especially in sexual matters. It is also one of the greatest pressures on parents and a fair test of maturity and their own education.

We really need these young people to be able to approach their parents without any difficulty, knowing they will not be turned away, or too scared and end up destroying their health or chance at raising their own families. I can see in the questions and guess at who will go to a doctor and who will be too scared to even talk about what is wrong with their parents.

One of the hardest things to do sometime is trust, but parents should ensure that their children have private access to a doctor for asking questions, if needed. Of course, major health decisions and problems must be brought to the parent's attention, not to embarrass but because they bear the final decision regarding treatments and financial obligations. Once something has happened, all that's left is to handle it and it's how the young person thinks they will be received which makes all the difference in what they will do.

I would hope parents coming across your site would read some of the questions to see how some are desperate to know, or find help and you would think the parents are where they would turn but often that's not the case. I think it's good they come here and ask questions but there is no magic wand to heal them, just advice and no way to see if they were able to get real medical help.

Your bullet points are fantastic. I think if parents could discuss those topics with their children, this site might put itself out of business! Not a bad thing in terms of health. It's good to provide some place where kids can come and ask, and receive information and respect. 

Laura B

9/11/09 5:03pm

This has been a tough thing for us to do. Your article helps.

 

Thanks!

 

Laura B

HSA