How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex

By: Justine Ang Fonte, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Justine Ang Fonte

There’s no denying it: Discussing sex and the private functions of the human body can make us uncomfortable. Part of being a parent or caregiver is having difficult conversations with your children to prepare them for a complex and confusing world. But at what age do we start talking to kids about sex? What information is appropriate at what time? How do we help our kids protect themselves without instilling unnecessary fear or confusion? How can we best prepare our children to protect themselves and understand how to take care of their bodies?

In the six lessons of How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex, you will join sex and health educator Justine Ang Fonte as she guides you through a holistic approach to sex education for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens. And this education isn’t just about having direct conversations or teaching lessons—it’s also about cultivating a safe space where children feel comfortable asking questions without judgement or shame. You will learn not only how to explain various topics concerning sex and the body, but also how to model the behaviors that will teach your kids more than you may even realize. Through discussion and creating an environment that encourages learning, you will be able to broach subjects like consent, boundaries, puberty, sexual identity, relationships, physical attraction, and self-care.

It is important to remember that sex and sexuality surround us, even if we don’t always notice. And our values, opinions, and behaviors in relation to them are constantly being witnessed and evaluated by young minds. They deserve to know the facts, to know how to ask for information, and to have the resources they need to take care of their bodies so they can be sexually healthy now and as they mature into adulthood.

©2024 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2024 Audible Originals, LLC.

Conservative upbringings must listen!!

I loved this well rounded approach to life! It taught well and loved that the author had no correct sex ed life made it more relatable!

Not useful

Agenda not education
Ideology
Places fear and guilt on being normal
Normalizes mental health disorders

Great resource for avoiding the awkward

This was a wonderful, inclusive resource that really helped me. I have kids ranging in age from 5-16, and although we've already had many conversations, this book gives an extra boost and some great places to start (or end) what could otherwise be awkward conversations.

There were quite a few things I haven't thought to bring up, and other concepts that I think my kids would like more details on, but I hadn't been sure how to address. This book is definitely going to be one I go back to time and again as my kids grow.

Gender activism

Unfortunately there is very little useful advice in this book, beyond common sense parents should already have. In fact, what is lacking is common sense because the book is a brainwashing exercise in gender and woke activism and a sure guide how to infantilize, confuse your kids and make them fragile and afraid of everything that is not “safe”. Sorry I spend one of my Audible credits on this.

Way to Preachy

More interested in sharing the authors opinion about sex ed than giving a basic understanding of the subject. Mocks other views and blames societies issues on people not agreeing with the author. If you are looking for a guide on how to talk to kids, this isn’t it. If you are looking for someone to cheer a specific worldview, this is for you.

Just What they Need!

I have also worked in teaching reproductive health and Justine’s book goes straight to what our kids
Need — SOMEONE TRUSTED to talk to, a safety net of adults and solid understanding of what CONSENT means and the joy of sex when a couple is ready for it. I think parents will also appreciate the practice scripts Justine includes!

Affirms the difficult world youth have to navigate today (that the parents were clueless about a generation ago)

judging by other people's reviews that gave only one star, it’s obvious this is a polarizing topic. I like the author's emphasis on positivity, safety, accurate information, and consent. Unless you have LGBTQIA+ members in your family, or work with these populations professionally, it's way too easy to not examine our assumptions. You can dismiss the author as liberal, propagandizing, and evil because of your assumptions. A more useful use of this audio course if you're disgusted by this trainer's perspective, is to glean what's helpful and layer it on your own value system. Like how to accurately describe what porn is (and its danger) to kids at various ages.

Every one with kids SHOULD listen to this !

Cannot recommend this audiobook enough. I wish I had listened to this when my child was much younger.
Still, its never too late. Even if your child is a late teen, please listen to this.

The resources were good too.. worth exploring various websites and books she recommends.
If you follow her advice, children will be more prepared to understand their own bodies. Her discussion 'normalizes' alternate sexual practices that humans NORMALLY have - I can understand some people feeling that she is encouraging this. She is not. She is merely advocating allowing your children to become the adults that they are going to comfortable being.

Wonder how much pscyho-pathology in the world would be avoided if parents did not try to mold their children into rigid stereotypes, and did not allow their child to express themselves.... in the environment now where 'abstinence' is being promoted, I can see how some of the other reviewers were upset.

Really?????

Telling your children boys can be girls and girls can be boys!!!! That is messed up. Do your research on the effects on what society is wanting to teach your children and look for the people that wished they never transitioned and say they wished people helped them instead of encourage them to go through a horrible transition with people telling them they can go back if they change their minds. There is a right way to teach your child on this issue. This book is not the right way. Extremely sad and misses the mark on sexual orientation saying a male can be a female and a female can be a male.

So good!

This book is such a great introduction, it touches on topics that I hadn't even considered. I wish my parents had read this 35 years ago.