Don’t let the title scare you. Get ready to be encouraged and equipped in becoming an expert on sex (at least in the eyes of your children!). Going beyond one awkward “talk”. And engaging in a series of age-appropriate conversations with your kids as they grow and develop.
If you haven’t listened to my first convo with Mary Flo. . .here’s the link: When to have “The Talk”? (Encore Episode). I’d recommend starting there. Because that episode sets the stage for today’s chat about the “birds & bees” with Mary Flo & Megan.
In this episode we chat about:
- How to respond when a sexualized song is played in the Walmart?
- How to tell a better story than our culture.
- Using the “Beauty vs. Boundaries” concept when answering questions about sex.
- Help for talking to your kids about pornography and having an intentional response
- Planning a get-away weekend with your pre-pubescent child, when you would:
- define what makes a great friend (then lead into girl/boyfriend).
- define what love is.
- draw a timeline of their life, marking highlights that have happened and dreaming about what could happen. then focusing in on years 13-21.
Mary Flo and Megan have crafted a beautiful resource for parents on their site: Birds & Bees. Their curriculum would be perfect for a small group or couples to discuss together.
I’ve implemented this approach in our home. And felt prepared and confident when approaching the topic of sex with my boys. Praying it helps you with your children as well.
Connect with Birds&Bees:
Featured Sponsor: Jelly Telly
JellyTelly is the only streaming video app designed specifically for kids where God is real and His Word is true. Co-developed with VeggieTales® creator Phil Vischer. Instantly stream hundreds of hours of safe, affirming videos and movies for kids about God, the Bible, and faith. JellyTelly is a safe place for children to experience fun and engaging entertainment while learning about God, the Bible, and faith. Popular shows include: VeggieTales, Owlegories, Friends and Heroes, What’s in the Bible?, Theo, Whirl, Hillsong Kids, the Jesus Storybook Bible and MANY more! (browse the entire catalog here: https://www.jellytelly.com/whatson). Watch on iOS, Android, Kindle apps with a brand new Roku and Apple TV channels. 1 Month Free with coupon code mentioned in February GCM podcast episodes.
Links Mentioned:
- When to Have the Talk? (Encore Episode) with Mary Flo Ridley
- Good Pictures, Bad Pictures by Kristen Jenson**
- Passport to Purity Weekend Kit **
- Questions Kids Ask about Sex **
- Birds and Bees Online Course
**Amazon Affiliate Link
How to listen to the podcast:
1.Listen on the blog. Click through to GodCenteredMom.com and click the play button at the beginning of this post.
2. Listen on your smartphone, iPad or iPod Touch – There are a lot of great podcasting apps. Apple has a free one (that I mentioned) in the app store, there is also one called Downcast. It allows you to search for shows, subscribe to them and even speed up the audio. If you don’t have an iDevice, you can listen via Stitcher.
3. Subscribe to the Podcast – access the podcast in iTunes (Click here to access via iTunes). You can also search for it on your smartphone app (like the ones listed above) and subscribe.
Thank you so much for your podcast, Heather! I am so thankful for each episode! I live in New Jersey. My husband and I have three boys 5 and under, and I work full time. So a major thank you is that as a working mom, so much on your podcast is directed at moms, because it’s about God-centered mothering, not about stay at home mothering. There are some other podcasts that I like to listen to and I can glean a lot from, but I often finish listening and feel a twinge of guilt that I am not a stay at home mom (I know that’s on me… about to go listen to the next episode about shame and perfectionism – yikes!!!). Not so with your podcast, instead I feel encouraged and lifted up and equipped.
Specifically in this podcast with Megan and Mary Jo, the words you spoke at the end just brought tears to my eyes, and blessed me so much! The whole idea that I don’t have to strive, because the Lord is already so pleased with me as a mom. “He is not going to love me more or less based on your parenting skills.” Wow! That is truth. Thanks again so much!
blessings to you lisa! 3 boys 5 and under while working full time is a lot to carry. Thank you for sharing how the podcast has helped you know God’s heart for you. To be able to rest in His work on your behalf and to trust His love for you!!
I loved the first one and this one was also amazing! But I do have a question about having a spouse that isn’t a Christian and might not see the importance of this right now with our almost 3 year old. Maybe it’s too soon but I doesn’t seem like it. How should I go about it? We are also going to have another little one, a little boy, and that scares me more.
Great question Kristina! I honestly don’t think Mary Flo’s approach directly relates to our faith. She has presented at secular medical conferences. The goal being to set our children up for success. To help them come to us for information on the topic of sexuality. To start the conversation young and connect with them when curiosity is high. To define our values related to sexual intimacy. So for a 3 year old, he may just be asking the simple questions: how will the baby get out? how did the baby get in there? But you may not answer an actual “intercourse” question for years! Hope that helps answer your question.
I avoided this podcast for awhile because I have a 3 yr old and 2 yr old so it didn’t seem applicable. I’m so glad the Spirit pricked me to listen, anyways and go back to the last podcast you did with Mary Flo, too and listen. SO much info I’d of never thought to even start thinking of this early.
I love your podcast so much! I’m 23 yr old mama who is fumbling through motherhood and marriage, I didn’t/don’t have a godly Mom or Dad role model, so wise words from Godly older woman are so incredibly precious to me. I didn’t find it until about 2 months ago, so it’s been a blast to surf through the episodes. I love your core message of redemption, and God centered-ness instead of self centered-ness…not in a harsh way, but in a way that brings peace that we can die to ourselves and have joy in our identity in Christ. Wipe away the shame, and stand clean before him who continually makes all things new.
Hi. Does she or you have any recommendations about talking to children about puberty to prepare them?