World Sexual Health Day!

As well as World Sexual Health Day… it’s also National Child Protection week, Women’s Health Week AND the publication of my new book! I hadn't planned to release my book amidst all of these special days, but to be honest the timing could not be more relevant! “Talking Sex: A Parent Conversation Guide” touches on all of these topics, so this week I’ll be posting one blog on each of these special events - be sure to come back to read more!

Let’s start with World Sexual Health Day, and the theme this year is Consent! Not only is consent one of the most crucial elements of any and all sexual encounters, it’s a crucial part of friendship and being a respectful person. Consent education ideally starts as early as possible. For example, children can learn about mutually enjoyable activities, how to manage disappointment and how to set boundaries through play. This foundation of consent education scaffolds as children get older, and they can apply this knowledge to intimate relationships later on in life.

For parents with children aged 8 - 12 I recommend getting a copy of my book Kit and Arlo Find a Way, a short novel where primary school aged characters navigate topics like body boundaries and safety, self-determination, having courage to withdraw consent, verbal and non-verbal cues and many more! Teaching your child about this now sets them up for success in intimate relationships later on in life. We have teaching resources that go alongside this book, such as the free consent crossword that you can download here. This is a simple way to facilitate conversations with your child around consent!

I want to empower all parents to begin these crucial conversations about consent as soon as possible, it’s never too late to start! Here are some consent cues to get you started - scroll down to the parent information on the Kit and Arlo Find a Way website for key consent information I want parents/carers and teachers to know. https://www.talkingthetalksexed.com.au/kit-and-arlo

It’s a busy busy week, and while it can be easy to overlook these special days or weeks of celebration it’s so important that we continue to learn about and raise awareness of these topics. Come back tomorrow to read about National Child Protection Week!

Here are some previous blogs I have written on consent that can help in your journey of facilitating these conversations with your kids:

https://www.talkingthetalksexed.com.au/blog/About%20Kit%20and%20Arlo:%20%20Consent%20Book%20Webinar 

https://www.talkingthetalksexed.com.au/blog/what-do-teachers-need-to-know-about-consent

https://www.talkingthetalksexed.com.au/blog/what-do-parents-need-to-know-about-consent

https://www.talkingthetalksexed.com.au/blog/learning-consent-starts-in-the-playground-2

https://www.talkingthetalksexed.com.au/blog/consent-education-it-s-time-and-the-resources-exist

https://www.talkingthetalksexed.com.au/blog/consent-education-as-easy-as-shoe-laces-and-lego