June 2010 Archives
This
mama thinks she might be putting ideas into her kids by talking to them about
sex and drugs. She probably is.
Ya
know, if a teen chooses to parent, you think she’d get some serious support.
She stopped by with the baby to pick up homework and was asked to leave.
Turns
out, at least at this Michigan High School, letting other students see all the
attention the student and her new baby get will lead other girls to have
babies.
I
thought it was unprotected sex that did that. Go figure.
Then
we can see what it’s like to have our teen pregnancy rate DROP instead of rise!
Their teen pregnancy rate has fallen every year from 1996 to 2006. It went from
44 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 in 1996, to 28 in 2006.
Not
us! Our teen pregnancy rate went up about 5%.
Oh,
and that drop? It appears to be because kids are practicing safe sex - not
because they aren’t having sex.
Here’s
a little article on the topic! http://tinyurl.com/2eeftht
I
had some folks pretty darned uncomfortable at the National Foster Parent
Association Conference. Some people had a very hard time accepting the idea of sexual behavior in children as natural and
healthy.
Very.
Hard. Time.
I
suspect they don’t think any sexual behavior is natural or healthy, but
I didn’t go there.
One
funny thing that happens to me is that I’ll often end up saying one word or
phrase repeatedly - usually because I’m using it as an example.
This
time, it was masturbation. Masturbation, masturbation, masturbation.
One
of the participants was very open with his opinion that masturbation is wrong.
So open, that he sent me an email with references to prove his point.
I
learned some things - like men loose 1/3 of their RDA of zinc when they jerk
off and this can effect testosterone levels. When they have sex with a female,
her vaginal secretions counteract this event.
Masturbation
has been linked to increased cases of prostate cancer among men.
Interestingly,
he didn’t provide any information about women and masturbation.
My
guess is his view of masturbation is motivated by his religious belief -
spilling seed and all that. For me, this holds more water than any “scientific”
anti-wanking support.
I
happen to think that being opposed to masturbation for religious reasons is
justification enough. Your values, your choice.
I
was nearly an art major and Louise Bourgeois was a favorite of mine. I was
really sad to hear of her passing. However, she was 98 years old!
Her
work was lovely, interesting, sometimes challenging and full of sexuality.
Spend
a minute with her. She was a pioneer on many fronts.
Have
you ever been stuck in a tight spot just when you were about to have sex and in
walks one of your kids?
Here are nine awkward scenarios
Read More:
http://www.ivillage.com/when-you-co-sleep-your-infant/6-b-139197
I am just
back from Baltimore and the National Foster Parent Association annual
conference. I was accepted to present two classes - Sexual Behavior in Children
and the Stewards of Children training by Darkness to
Light, an excellent child sexual abuse organization.
Foster
parents are amazing people and I am completely impressed with their dedication,
huge hearts and ability to care for some of the most challenging kids ever. I
couldn’t do it. Well, I probably could, but right now, I wouldn’t.
The rate of
sexual abuse among foster kids is 4 times that of the national average. If kids
are in a group home, the numbers are even higher - in part due to the
prevalence of child-to-child abuse.
These
wonderful people take in kids who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect and
upheaval that many of us can’t even imagine. And, frankly, don’t even dare to
imagine. We’d rather not think about it.
But they
think about it every day, when they invite these kids into their homes and
integrate them into their families. They think about it when the children visit
their biological families and come back to them in tears. They think about it
when the child has night terrors.
And they
think about it when the child goes home to their biological parents, gets
adopted by another family or when they adopt the child themselves.
What about
you? Could you be a foster parent? Every kid deserves to have a healthy, happy,
experience in a family. How about yours?
Summer and Fall Class Schedule:
Birds + Bees + YOUR Kids 101
Consider this "boot camp" for getting the
conversation about sex started! If your kids are 3 months or 13, this is class
will leave you feeling confident and ready to start and continue these
important conversations.
We'll cover what to say by when in detail; how to say it;
practice; values clarification and why this is so important. And! You can get
your burning questions answered. $55 for one and $85 for a pair of parents..
Class is limited to 14 people. Questions? YOU MUST PREPAY for
this class. Limited to 14 participants. $55 for one and $85 per couple.
Saturday, July 17, 2010 12:30 to 2:30 PST
Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle
Eventbrite URL: http://bbyjuly17.eventbrite.com/
Birds + Bees + Kids Open Conversation @ Phinney Neighborhood
Center
Bring your burning questions, curiosity, and whatever is on
your mind. I’ll help you figure out how to answer tough questions, start the
conversation, or figure out if you are on the right track. Whatever you need -
I’m at your mercy.
Saturday, August 18, 2010 12:30 to 2:00 PST, Open
Conversation @ Phinney Neighborhood Center
Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle
$15 per participant 30 is the max number of people. $25 at
the door - Please RSVP so I can let you know if there are any changes.
Eventbrite URL: http://ocatphinneyaug18.eventbrite.com
Too Sexy, Too Soon - Sexualized culture and what to do about
it!
Too Sexy, Too
Soon - Sexualized culture and what to do about it! We’ll spend the afternoon
discussing how media and culture is influencing our children, what we can do
about it and some strategies for talking to our kids.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 12:00 PM (PT)
http://tstsoct20.eventbrite.com
Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle
$25 per participant $40 per couple. 30 is the max number of people. $35/50 at the door - Please RSVP so I can let you know if there are any changes.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 4:00 PM (PT)
Same class, different time!
www.birdsandbeesandkids.com for more info.
Eventbrite URL: http://tstsoct4pm.eventbrite.com
Birds + Bees + YOUR Kids 102
This workshop is for parents and caregivers of children 10
and older. You will learn tips, tools and tricks for continuing conversations
about sex, love and relationships with older children. We’ll cover:
Values clarification; STD/HIV information; birth control methods; how to
effectively talk to adolescents; practice conversations; Q and A and resources.
Saturday, October 16, 2010 12:30 to 2:30 PST, Birds + Bees +
YOUR Kids 102
Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle
YOU MUST PREPAY for this class. Limited to 14
participants. $55 for one and $85 per couple.
Eventbrite URL: http://bbk102oct16.eventbrite.com
“Playing Doctor” - When to worry!
Kids are naturally curious about everything – including
bodies and sexuality! Come learn what’s going on in their minds and how you can
confidently navigate this sometimes unsettling behavior and keep your kids safe.
Saturday, November 6, 2010 12:30 to 2:30, “Playing Doctor” -
When to worry!
Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle
Eventbrite URL: http://pdnov06.eventbrite.com
