Adolescent Care
Parents: Teaching your Children about Sexuality
As a parent, it is your privilege and responsibility to teach your children about sexuality. It's important to teach them how to feel good about themselves, respect themselves, and relate to others. Many times, parents find it difficult to talk with their child about sexuality. The questions "What information is right for my child's age?" and "How do I bring up the subject?" Indeed, speaking about sex for the first time may be hard. Here are some tips for a smoother conversation.
At birth, children begin learning about sex. It's a lifelong process that begins with the way they are held or touched. As children grow, they are exposed to multiple ways of thinking about sex. They learn from their parents, other family member, friends, school, media and church. It isn't easy to sort out what is right from wrong.
Very young children will place their parents at the center of their world. They will learn a lot by the way you dress, how you interact with others of the same or opposite sex, how you show affection, and how you respond to nudity. Children will also learn a great deal from watching television, listening to music, and reading books and magazines. Because oftentimes sex is treated casually in the media, it's important to teach your child that it is not as simple as it is portrayed. As a parent, teaching your children about sex yourself will promote a better understanding of sex and a healthy outlook. This way, you can offer a set of values, make sure that the information they are receiving is correct, and encourage them to share their concerns and questions with you instead of others.
As mentioned earlier, starting at a young age with discussion of sex is beneficial. Explain where babies come from in uncomplicated terms. Describe body parts by their proper names. If you begin talking to your child at a young age, it will be much easier to talk to him or her as they reach their teenage years. Prior to your discussion, you should discuss with your partner what message you two wish to convey to your child. Express your personal beliefs regarding waiting for sex until marriage. You should also make sure you have accurate facts. Use literature and books if necessary. If you don't know the answer to a tough question, it's ok to say "I am not certain of the answer to your question. Let's look it up." Always allow your child the freedom to ask questions, and listen to what they are saying. Teaching your child about sex is not just about the parent speaking as the child listens. Children will still learn, whether or not you listened and answered their questions. It is much better for them to gather this knowledge from you than from their friends or the media, as they may get inaccurate information.
Young Women: Menarche or "Getting your period"
As you grow into a woman, your body will take a few years to develop. There will be many changes during this time called "puberty." Your breasts will grow and you will begin to have periods called "menstruation." Every body is different and will grow at different rates. Between the ages of 8 and 14 you will start puberty. It will, at times. Feel like you are on a roller coaster ride with your whole body out of control. You will start developing curves as your breasts and hips get bigger and hair will grow under your arms, on your legs, and between your legs. You'll sweat more and will get pimples (daily baths and deodorants will help). Even your moods will change. Sometimes you will be sad or mad for no reason at all.
Periods are normal and healthy and is the result of changes going on in your body. The menstrual cycle makes it possible to have babies and begins with the release of an egg from the ovary. Once released, it travels through the fallopian tubes. If it meets up with a man's sperm, a woman becomes pregnant. If not, the egg and lining of the uterus flow out as tissue, fluid and blood and is a period. The time between your periods can be from 20-36 days. Since everyone is different, periods can last from 2-8 days. The blood can be pink, red or brown and can flow out as thick, lumpy or runny. Keep a record on a calendar when your periods start and stop so you can track your own pattern.
Good health habits will make you feel better as your body changes. Make a rainbow of colors on your plate by eating lots of different fresh fruits and vegetables along with whole grains and protein (from meats and fish) as well as low fat dairy products. Stay away from a lot of junk food. Exercise daily. Any activity that makes your body move is good and will help with the moodiness and cramps, too.
Premenstrual symptoms (PMS) occur a week or two before your period begins each month. Some of the symptoms include being tired, breast tenderness, cramps in the lower abdomen or even in your lower back. Taking a nap, using a heating pad on your lower abdomen, taking a warm bath, wearing a firm, supportive bra, sipping warm drinks and gentle exercising like stretching may help these problems. If your symptoms aren't relieved with these simple things, medications may be needed.
It is important to keep clean during your period. You'll need to use a sanitary pad or tampon. Pads have sticky tape to stick to your panties. Tampons are worn inside the vagina and yes, you can use them. It may take a little practice getting them in comfortably so start with small, slender ones. Your vagina will hold them in place so they won't fall out. Both pads and tampons need to be changed every 2-4 hours (or more often) to avoid leaks and odor. You have a choice so try them both out and see which you like best. If thinking about having sex, it is important to use protection to prevent both an unplanned pregnancy as well as a sexually transmitted infection (STD). Talking to a professional will help answer all those questions.
Disclaimer:
The information on the Habersham OB/GYN web pages is provided for educational purposes only. You should consult a qualified health care provider if you have a question about your particular medical condition.