Learning how to talk to your kids about sex does not begin with memorizing the perfect script.
Most parents imagine “the talk” as one uncomfortable conversation that needs to be endured. We prepare for it like we are preparing to rip off a bandage. We expect it to feel awkward, but we tell ourselves that once it is finished, it is finished.
That is one of the biggest mistakes we can make.
“The Talk” Is Not One Conversation
Our children need ongoing, age-appropriate conversations about their bodies, sex, sexuality, relationships, and growing up. These subjects should not be hidden until we decide they are old enough for one serious discussion.
They belong under the larger responsibility of discipling our children.
The question is not only what we should say when the moment arrives. We also need to ask whether we have built the kind of relationship in which our children expect us to talk with them and teach them.
Become a Dad Who Talks and Teaches
Before your children hear you talk about sex, they should already know two things:
Dad talks to me.
Dad teaches me.
If regular conversation is not already part of your relationship, a sudden discussion about bodies and sexuality will feel out of place. If your children do not already experience you as a teacher, they may not be prepared to receive your guidance when the subject becomes more personal.
In this episode of Fathering Our Future, I explain how dads can establish those patterns before having “the talk.” I share practical ways to make conversation easier, develop a family devotional rhythm, and introduce age-appropriate discussions without making everything painfully serious.
I also discuss why children should learn the correct names for their body parts, why these conversations should begin earlier than many parents expect, and how parents can replace fear and shame with a healthy understanding of God’s design.
Resources for Talking With and Teaching Your Children
Talk Time: Dads & Kids provides 50 digital conversation starters you can keep on your phone and use at dinner, in the car, before bed, or whenever conversation needs some help:
https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/talk-time-dads-kids-50-simple-quest
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Questions for Humans: Parents and Kids Second Edition by Dr. John Delony:
https://amzn.to/4zLCR9u (Amazon affiliate link)
Tiny Truths children’s devotional:
https://amzn.to/3SgCVNV (Amazon affiliate link)
God’s Big Picture Bible Storybook by N. T. Wright:
https://amzn.to/4gEaukW (Amazon affiliate link)
Continue the Conversation
Talking to Your Kids About Sex Without Shame with Dr. Danny Huerta:
How to Address Pornography With Your Kids with Hadley Baker:
What to Know When Talking to Your Kids About Sex with Dr. John Delony:
The Importance of Ongoing Talks About Sex and Sexuality With Your Kids with Adam and Karissa King:
You do not need to become a perfect communicator overnight. Start by becoming a dad who talks with his children and teaches them consistently. That foundation will change every difficult conversation that follows.
Explore more practical Christian fatherhood resources:
