A caring parent (or other caregiver) is the most important connection between children and a bright and healthy future. It may be hard to believe but research has shown that parents are the most valued source of information and support for pre-teens and young-teens. Your guidance can help your kids avoid the psychological and physical risks that premature sex can bring, such as sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy.
Sexual activity is a sensitive subject but if you don’t bring it up, you can guess who will...their friends and the media! The Parents Speak Up National Campaign provides an opportunity to empower parents and communities to take an active role in a pre-teen and young teen’s life. Now is the time to talk with your kid; to tell them about the importance of waiting to have sex, so they’ll have a better chance at success. For more information on how to help pre-teens and young-teens make wise decisions you can look elsewhere in www.4parents.gov.
Make a commitment to talk to your kids, early and often about your vision for their future. Download the Parent Commitment Card, sign the back and make a commitment to tell your kids what you want for them, whether it is an education, a career, or a family. How will they know if you don’t tell them? Share your vision so you can share their future.
- Parent Commitment Card
Ok, you’ve made the commitment, but now you’re not sure what to say, how to say it, or even how to get the conversation started. Download our parent commitment card here
(408k). - Resources available elsewhere on www.4parents.gov:
- Community Outreach Kit
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to gather with other parents in your community to talk about these issues? You can start your own group or check out our website to see if there is a Native American abstinence program in your area. Download our Community Outreach Kit here(1.9 MB). - Download our Talking Circles Guide here (2.5 MB).
