other people who are interested in sex and relationships , without putting themselves or their peers at risk of being abused or exploited . In other words , their brains are wired for a lot of curiosity about sex , relationships , and bodies !
Because of this curiosity , of course they may want to try these things . Make sure that you know what your child is doing , who they are spending time with , and what they are reading or watching . If you notice any of the following signs in your child , you should become concerned : Your child is withdrawn from friends , family , and activities that they used to enjoy . It is normal for them to want to spend more time with their peers , but if the amount of time they spend with you and other adults has suddenly decreased dramatically , this may be a red flag . Other signs include inability to control their sexual thoughts , obsession with pornography , having lots of sexual experiences , or having difficulties in school related to sexuality .
It ’ s just part of being a teenager . But if your child is struggling in a way that is related to their sexual urges , they may need extra support or guidance .
Help them find trusted adults they can talk to
Teenagers don ’ t always want to talk to their parents about sex , relationships , and bodies even if they are very open with their parents about all of these things . Their peers are often the ones with whom they are most comfortable talking about these issues . However , sometimes they want to talk to someone who has experience with these things , who can help them make informed choices , and who isn ’ t their peer . If your teen has a trusted adult in their life who they can talk to about these things , you can encourage them to speak to them . If they don ’ t have anyone like this in their life , you can encourage them to find someone , whether it is a friend of yours or a school teacher .
Your child may resist this at first , feeling ashamed about their experiences and preoccupations . You can reduce their shame and encourage them to talk by keeping your own reactions non-judgmental . If your child is interested in dating , or you think they might like to have a romantic relationship , encourage them to talk to a trusted adult about this . They may need some extra help with navigating the social world of dating .
Encourage healthy habits and hobbies
It can be tempting to give your teen advice about what they should and shouldn ’ t be doing when it comes to sex , relationships , and bodies , but this rarely works out . Instead , try to focus on encouraging them to engage in healthy habits and hobbies . For example , if they are reading materials that makes people uncomfortable , or watching content that is not age-appropriate , you can suggest that they read or watch something else . If they try to engage in sexual activities that are not age-appropriate ( like sexting , or trying to have sex with a partner when they are not ready for it ), you can let them know that this is not okay . Strong sexual urges are normal , but they can lead to risky or dangerous activities if they are not managed well . You can help your child manage their urges by encouraging them to explore healthy habits and hobbies .
Your child will probably have their own ideas about what they would like to do , but you can probably suggest a few options including : Exercising regularly : Exercise can reduce stress and help manage strong emotions . It can also help teenagers maintain a healthy weight and stay fit and active ; Engaging in creative or artistic activities : Activities like painting , reading , sketching , writing , and playing music can help your child express their emotions ; Engaging in service activities : Helping others can be a very positive and powerful way to manage strong emotions .
Celebrate your child ’ s development as a person , not just their sexiness
As your child goes through adolescence , they will develop in many ways . They will become more independent ; they will become more
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