Parents | THNK

Where to Find Resources

It’s parents that teens want to hear from most when it comes to sexual health and relationships—but often parents don’t feel totally comfortable bringing up the topic. Too frequently parents aren’t given great resources to guide or engage in those conversations, either.

The new THNK program exists for teens as much as a resource for parents. We want to give you the information and support you need to help your kids make good choices for their health and future. True Health Needs Knowledge means thinking before acting. It means knowing where to get support. It means using important skills to keep you healthy. It means knowing how to THNK. We encourage parents to use the THNK website to help discuss these topics with their kids.

Teens prefer parents as primary sex educators

Read the facts

What does it mean to become an advocate?

Read the facts

Talking Tips
and Facts

Your teen wants to learn about sexuality and values from you more than from anyone else.

It’s OK to feel uncomfortable about talking to your kid about sex and healthy relationships. Instead of just bringing the topic up out of the blue, find those “teachable moments” like when a TV show sends the wrong messages or when you see something on a billboard or commercial. You can use those things around you to help introduce and guide your discus-sion.

Don’t just wait for your kids to ask you questions. Share the information you want them to know right now.

Be approachable. Try not to judge.

Listen! Pay attention to the questions behind the questions. Kids are often asking “Am I normal?”

Talk about the joys of a good relationship – like love, snuggling on the couch, sharing inti-mate moments – along with information about the challenges.

Make sure to explain the WHY. Why does knowing all this matter? Why is this important to you?

As the primary educator to your children, you can get involved in how sexual education is being taught in schools, too. For example, a comprehensive sexual education program has been consistently proven to delay intercourse, reduce the number of sexual partners, and increase condom and birth control use amongst those who are sexually active. Getting in-volved means becoming an advocate for this sort of program. Becoming an advocate means speaking up for the things that you believe in. If you want to connect with other parent or community leaders, contact us here.

Where to
Find Resources

Here are some additional resources that can help guide your conversations with your children. They will give you current facts and other tips in helping you support healthy decision making for you and your family.

The Center for Disease Control

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

Health and Human Services Office of Adolescent Health: Talking with your Teens

Practice talking to your kids about the dangers of alcohol

FAQs

Are you teaching my kid to have sex?

No, we’re arming them with information that they make healthy choices. This means that either they don’t have sex, or if they do, they know how to protect their health in the best way possible. Our goal is to support you and your family towards a healthy and vibrant future.

Won’t giving my kid condoms encourage him to have sex?

No. What it is encouraging him or her to do is protect him or herself and to act wisely.

I want to talk to my teen about sex. Are there additional resources to this site that can help me?

Yes! Here is another place with great information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce549Xl-AwQ

I want to encourage my teenager to go on birth control but I don't know much about it, is it dangerous? Help?

No worries! We have all the information you need right here!

Sex Ed Pregnancy Prevention page

I don’t want my child to look at your site. How do I block it?

This makes us sad. Our site holds really great information for you and your child to learn how to lead a healthy lifestyle. However, securing how your child navigates the internet is always a good thing. Here is a good step-by-step guide on how to make sure your child uses the internet safely.

What is a comprehensive sexual education program?

A comprehensive sexual education program teaches that the best way to avoid STDs and unplanned pregnancy is through abstinence. But it also teaches about condoms and contraception. A comprehensive program also helps young people define values, goals, and build their interpersonal and communication skills. It has been consistently proven to delay intercourse, reduce the number of sexual partners, and increase condom and birth control use amongst those who are sexually active.

Sexual Health Education

We also offer evidence-based sexual health education for parents, guardians, mentors and teens. Call us at (702) 759-0894 and let us know which of the classes you would like to attend. You can click here for more information.

Where to Find Resources

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