Gone are the days when parents dreaded the birds and bees conversation with their children.
Nowadays, parents are more open and honest about sex with their kids, and experts say this open door policy of having your children comfortable enough to ask you anything about sex is the perfect way to advise your offspring and prevent major pitfalls.
However, how would you handle your child asking you how old you were when you lost your virginity or intimate questions about your sex life?
What would you answer be if your child asked you how many lovers you've had?
These are some tough questions inquisitive children can ask and shocking enough to send many parents running for the door.
That said, children today are more advanced and more forward thinking than yesteryear, so knowing how to answer those questions appropriately is the best armour to avoid being caught off guard.
But how honest should parents be with their children about their sexual history?
Occupational therapist Lesego Mashishi gives parents tips on how to answer some of the most cringe-worthy questions.
Should you tell your child when you lost your virginity?
"Psychologically, this will automatically set a benchmark for your child. So even if he or she was going to abstain until her adult years, the likelihood that he/she will lose her virginity around the age you lost yours will drastically increase. So if you lost your virginity after marriage you could probably share, but if you lost your virginity early in your teenage years when you were still considered as irresponsible, you should probably hold onto that piece of information," says Mashishi.
Should you tell your child how many partners you have had?
"What value would that information bring to your child? It depends what your agenda would be in this case, but rather keep this to yourself," Mashishi says.
Should you tell your child if you've ever had an abortion?
"Well if the news have somehow become public knowledge, then sharing that information with your now teenage child would be beneficial because you then control the narrative and are able to express situations that led you to the decision and how it has impacted on your life to date.
"Make sure that you are not just sharing this information to offload your emotional state and alleviate your own distress.
The topic of abortion truly does have great educational value if relayed in a responsible manner indicating the consequence of the decision made and the value we as human beings attach to life."
Should you tell your child if you've ever had an STI?
"This could have great educational value on the consequences of having unprotected sex. Often adolescents and teenagers, never feel that certain unfortunate incidences such as contracting an STI could happen to them.
So knowing that even your own parent had once contracted an STI by having unprotected sex could have great educational value to stress the importance of healthy sexual habits."
Should you tell your child if you've ever had an STI?
Gone are the days when parents dreaded the birds and bees conversation with their children.
Nowadays, parents are more open and honest about sex with their kids, and experts say this open door policy of having your children comfortable enough to ask you anything about sex is the perfect way to advise your offspring and prevent major pitfalls.
However, how would you handle your child asking you how old you were when you lost your virginity or intimate questions about your sex life?
What would you answer be if your child asked you how many lovers you've had?
These are some tough questions inquisitive children can ask and shocking enough to send many parents running for the door.
That said, children today are more advanced and more forward thinking than yesteryear, so knowing how to answer those questions appropriately is the best armour to avoid being caught off guard.
But how honest should parents be with their children about their sexual history?
Occupational therapist Lesego Mashishi gives parents tips on how to answer some of the most cringe-worthy questions.
Should you tell your child when you lost your virginity?
"Psychologically, this will automatically set a benchmark for your child. So even if he or she was going to abstain until her adult years, the likelihood that he/she will lose her virginity around the age you lost yours will drastically increase. So if you lost your virginity after marriage you could probably share, but if you lost your virginity early in your teenage years when you were still considered as irresponsible, you should probably hold onto that piece of information," says Mashishi.
Should you tell your child how many partners you have had?
"What value would that information bring to your child? It depends what your agenda would be in this case, but rather keep this to yourself," Mashishi says.
Should you tell your child if you've ever had an abortion?
"Well if the news have somehow become public knowledge, then sharing that information with your now teenage child would be beneficial because you then control the narrative and are able to express situations that led you to the decision and how it has impacted on your life to date.
"Make sure that you are not just sharing this information to offload your emotional state and alleviate your own distress.
The topic of abortion truly does have great educational value if relayed in a responsible manner indicating the consequence of the decision made and the value we as human beings attach to life."
Should you tell your child if you've ever had an STI?
"This could have great educational value on the consequences of having unprotected sex. Often adolescents and teenagers, never feel that certain unfortunate incidences such as contracting an STI could happen to them.
So knowing that even your own parent had once contracted an STI by having unprotected sex could have great educational value to stress the importance of healthy sexual habits."
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