Teaching kids about sexual intimacy

 "Just as Jesus used a child in His mortal ministry as an example for the people of the pure love they must and could have to be like Him, He has offered us the family as an example of an ideal setting in which we can learn how to love as He loves. That is because the greatest joys and the greatest sorrows we experience are in family relationships. The joys come from putting the welfare of others above our own. That is what love is."

-President Henry B. Eyring

In class, we discussed the topic of educating your child about sexual relations within marriage. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a handy website that is the "Parent's Guide" to handling these topics. 

It talks about teaching your children from their young age, the importance of gender. "From the very beginning, the child’s life is influenced by gender as he or she learns the central role of being a male or female person. Children learn various roles associated with being male or female. Though these roles are eternally significant, it is a fairly simple task to learn them unless we are harmed. A child needs to understand that he or she is acceptable as a boy or as a girl. Therefore, there is a crucial distinction to be made between being male or female and feeling good about gender."

It gives this list to think about as you teach your children about sexual intimacies. 
"As you teach your children about intimacy, keep in mind the following principles that enhance learning:

  1. Share the responsibility to teach with your spouse.

  2. Teach your children by example.

  3. Be consistent in your behavior.

  4. Counsel with your children.

  5. Pass righteous judgment on your children.

  6. Provide a positive emotional climate in your home.

  7. Hold family home evenings regularly.

  8. Share your thoughts and feelings with your children.

  9. Break the routine.

  10. Express your love to your children regularly and frequently.

You can use these principles in all your efforts to teach in the home. Keep them in mind especially as you teach your children about human intimacy."


The article also talks about helping teens ages 12-18. 

"This section will help you teach your children to understand, put into proper perspective, and control the newly awakened desires for physical intimacy they will have during their teenage years. To help you do this, this section discusses the following ideas:

  1. Prepare your teenagers for the changes that will accompany puberty.

  2. Teach your teenagers that they can control their desires for physical intimacy.

  3. Help your teenagers to have wholesome social experiences.

  4. Help your teenagers see adolescence as a time for developing spiritual power."


There are resources to help parents parent. Don't feel that you have to come up with things all on your own. Look to other examples for guidance. Pray to God and seek revelation. You can decide what you allow into your home and not. 

This week I won't write much on this topic so that you can take the time to go and skim through and read that manual. It has discusses important topics.

Hannah Whiting 

.... 
Questions for the week: 
What has worked or not worked for your family? Write your thoughts below. 

Other questions that came up in class include, 
Is it important to be loyal to your spouse? What does that look like for you? What are your thoughts on this topic? Have you since a great example of loyalty that you'd like to share?  


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