Recently, you might notice a shift from positive to negative self-talk in your children and maybe even yourself. How do we make a shift?  (The top video is for children and the bottom one is for parents.)

One thing that schools and families should not overlook is child protection during distance learning.  

Please keep child protection in mind as you navigate online learning. You might want to include something like this when you invite students for an online class:
Dear .... class,
I'm looking forward to meeting at ____ .
Please remember that you should:

• dress in school attire for all online classes
• be on time
• wear headphones
• follow IRESPECT values
• know that classes are recorded for those who cannot join
• send an email reporting any technical difficulties.

See you soon,
_________

My counseling buddy, Alma Croft, put slides together based on the infographic created by ICMEC, and I’ve added an explanation of each slide.

​

Mom, all of my friends have unlimited access to their computer.
Mom tilts her head.
I think you and dad are too strict and you probably don't realize that Jessica's mom let's her do whatever she wants.
​Mom nods.
Why aren't you saying anything?
​Mom leans forward a bit.
I know some people my age use their computers irresponsibly but I don't. Why are you so tough on me?
​You think we're tough on you?
Well, that's not really the point. I'm a pretty good teenager considering what some of my friends are doing.
We don't recognize how well you're doing?
Well, not often. Do you realize that Jessica is talking to complete strangers and has agreed to meet up with someone she doesn't even know?
So you're feeling scared for Jess?
​Actually, yes. Can we invite her over tomorrow so she can talk with you? I'll start the conversation and then maybe you can help her understand how dangerous this is. She opens up with you.
​You'd like my support?
​Yes, can I get in touch with her now and ask her to come to breakfast with us tomorrow?
Of course. Let me know what she thinks.

I need to talk to you as soon as you get home today. I expect you to be sitting at the kitchen table when I arrive.
It's possible that I have to work with a group on my Art project.
Let me be clear. I know you are completing an Art project with a group and they are relying on you. I expect you to be sitting at the kitchen table waiting for me by the time I arrive home today. All other priorities will be addressed after we have our discussion. 
I think you are overreacting again. I don't really have time for this.
I will see you at the kitchen table when I arrive home.         
...  I was disappointed and worried when I saw you come through the door drunk last night. I couldn't tell the state of the person who drove you home and if we have been clear about anything it is that if you make a poor choice and need support, we expect you to call us to help you. Our trust has been broken so let's talk about a consequence that fits this situation.
My friend who drove didn't drink anything. 
I'll bring you back to the fact that we were disappointed and worried. It's not okay for you to put us in that position. Our agreement is clear and simple. We are the people who drive you home if you make a poor choice. Now, let's get back to our discussion of a consequence. 
This isn't fair.
​I'm giving you an opportunity to start the discussion on a consequence if you'd like input.
Okay, how about no going out next weekend?
This is a serious situation. I'm not accepting that.
​​No going out on weekends for the next month and any interactions with friends has to be done here in your house.
We'll touch base after a month and determine if the consequence was sufficient.

Use phone

• during break right after school
• right before dinner
• before school
• in bed when relaxing.

Use phone

• before school
• during breaks at school
• before you start practice
• before you start homework.

Use phone

• during break right after school
• right before dinner
• before school
• after I finish homework
• in bed when relaxing.

​Use phone

• before school
• during breaks at school
• before you start practice
• before you start homework.

4. Decide on a final solution and 5. Implement.
We agree that I can use my phone before and after school for 30 minutes. If my homework is finished and there is time, I can have 30 minutes before getting my shower and relaxing before bed. I won't have any screen time for the hour leading up to my bedtime. We'll touch base in two weeks and decide if this is working well.
​
6. Evaluate the solution.
Meet after the agreed upon trial period and adjust the plan as needed.

I want to draw attention to the point that all of these discussions happen with different types of I-messages. If I start my discussions with I-messages of one kind or another. The person I'm talking with cannot dismiss my thoughts and my feelings. More importantly, the other person does not have a feeling of being cornered. How do you feel you would react if someone said, "You wasted a lot of my time yesterday when I was really busy." How differently would you react if I said, "I really value my time at work because I have a 2.5 year old to play with when I get home. Can I ask you to schedule a time with me in advance?" Using a you-statement makes the person on the other end feel a need to defend actions, whereas an I-statement helps the other person empathize with the person delivering the message. Try to shift from starting sentences with "you" when you have a concern.

As I've already said, this might seem unrealistic and certainly will feel extremely challenging for many people. Give it a try. With practice I honestly believe your relationships will improve considerably. 
Take care,
Sharon

I know I have briefly mentioned mindfulness in past entries but I want to take some time to focus on this issue in more depth. I will start with a quote I received from the Headpace app two days ago, "Our state of mind defines every single relationship in our life. So why do we not make looking after it a priority?" If you have worked with me, you know I preach this regularly. We are quick to go to the doctor if we have a physical symptom and we definitely wouldn't ignore a cancer or diabetes diagnosis or leave a fracture untreated. When it comes to our mental health, how many of us say, "Oh, it's just a phase." We see family or friends struggling with their mental health and our advice is, "Suck it up. People have worse things to deal with." Mental health is a key part of our well being and when our mental health is out of sorts, other parts of our health can go downhill quickly. Make mental health a priority, not an afterthought.
Practicing mindfulness daily can be a perfect start to looking after your mental state.

When I started, I used two apps, Headspace and Simply Being. They are simple to use and you don't have to know a thing about mindfulness to begin. I chose to practice during a ten minute work break and right before bed. You can choose any time of day and you can be mindful during any activity. I'd suggest you start simply, though, like I did. If you tend to check  news or social networking first thing in the morning or before going to bed, try mindfulness instead for a week and see if you notice a positive change.

Child-rearing - I have a toddler who gets up twice every night and always has. Instead of judging myself or this little gem, I decided to use that time to simply be present with her. At the age when she needed held, I'd looked closely at her while thoughts and emotions came and went. Not all of my thoughts were positive, she was getting me up at 11:30 pm and 2:30 am and was ready to start her day at 5 am. Don't assume that you will only have positive thoughts and emotions; that's not what mindfulness is about. "Girl, I'd really like you to quickly down this drink and get back to sleep." Or, "I'm so lucky to have this little cutie." I randomly felt sad, frustrated, happy, fortunate, calm, overwhelmed, loving, and so on. Believe it or not, I do the same thing when she's having a tantrum. "She's trying to tell me something so I need to try to help her communicate," or "I have no idea what she wants and I feel like crying myself." The thoughts and emotions coming and going can be all over the place but I find myself quite calm even at these stressful times.
My child knows the voice of Andy from Headspace and likes the soothing sound of the ocean background in Simply Being. We have a routine of reading a few books and then I say, "Would you like to hear Andy or the ocean?" She is very clear of her preference on a given day. Sometimes when really tired, she says, "Mama, Andy," or "Mama, ocean." 

I took an edX course run by Dr Dacher Keltner and Dr Emiliana Simon-Thomos called Science of Happiness (2014). In this course they run through many studies that have been conducted to check the effectiveness of Mindfulness. Some of the benefits are shared below. 
Decrease in:

• negative emotions 
• depression
• anxiety
• pain and chronic pain 
• being critical while ruminating about self
• contempt and hostility
• stress markers in blood and saliva

Increase in:

• ability to regulate emotion
• positive emotions
• helping deal with unpleasant thoughts without being overwhelmed
• coping
• life satisfaction
• ability to judge others' emotions
• responses to stress
• feelings of helpfulness
• resilience
• memory and attention
• self compassion
• strength and size of parts of brain dealing with attention, concentration, emotional intelligence, and compassion

I highly recommend taking the free online course and learning about the specific studies conducted around mindfulness and other aspects of well being.

Look at the benefits above. If you find that you struggle, could starting mindfulness practice be a step to get you moving in the right direction? For those of you who have attention difficulties, be patient when you first start. Understand that mindfulness does not come easily and takes persistence, an open-mind, and understanding of the importance of being patient with yourself as you learn. Start small, just a few minutes a day and build from there.

Resources
Mindfulness for the classroom - appropriate for teachers or parents with no experience 
Mindfulness resources for teens and teachers building programs - appropriate for adults, as well
Mindfulness resources  for all ages
Science of Happiness - can take the course for free or a minimal fee if you'd like a certificate of completion
Information about Mindful Based Cognitive Therapy - includes simple exercises
2017 Mindfulness articles - includes articles with links to videos, courses, child, teen, and adult activities
Quiz created by Greater Good out of Berkley to get a sense of where you are in terms of mindfulness.

Cardaciotto, Herbert L., J. D. Forman, E. Moitra, and V. Farrow. "Mindfulness Quiz." Greater Good. Berkley, 2008. Web. 02 Mar. 2017.
Hannay, Catharine. "Five Senses Snack: A Mindful Eating Chart." Mindful Teachers. Mindfulteachers.org, 9 Aug. 2013. Web. 29 Apr. 2017.
Keltner, Dacher and Emiliana Simon-Thomas. "Science of Happiness." Science of Happiness. Berkley. 20 Oct. 2014. EdX - Science of Happiness. Web. 29 Apr. 2017.
Puddicombe, Andy. Andy Puddicombe: All it takes is 10 mindful minutes | TED Talk | TED.com. N.p., Jan. 2013. Web. 29 Apr. 2017.
Tix, Andy, Thomas Hills, and Eval Winter. Mindfulness." Psychology Today. N.p., 2017. Web. 02 Mar. 2017.
Stahl, Bob. MBSRWorkbook. Raisin Meditation. YouTube, 22 Mar. 2010. Web. 29 Apr. 2017.

For those of us in the international world, this is a time of year where some are in the midst of trying to get positions for their next location. Congratulations to those of you who have successfully landed your next spot! There are a lot of things to consider. Do we go or is it better to stay? If we go, what exactly are we looking for in the next place: location, workplace environment, professional growth, options for outdoor exploring, a challenge, a great package? Even with a clear plan, this international world of moving lends to uncertainty. I'm quite certain international educators are rare in that we have to decide we are moving and resign before we have a clue where we are going next. Basically from around October peers in our communities have been looking at openings, getting excited, and at times dealing with rejection. Some won't find their match until much later this school year. The process can be nearly a school year of added stress that others may or may not be aware of.

I think one key to this process is to try to not take a school's response, or lack thereof, personally. I have seen both sides of this process and the hiring side is trying to piece together a complex puzzle. Teachers apply who are: single, a couple, or same sex couple; minorities; with or without children; inexperienced but vibrant or experienced on the higher end of the pay scale; from a country that complicates Visa issues; or in a partnership where one partner is highly desirable and the other not for this particular year. You get the idea. The bottom line is that you look at a school's needs and see that you are a great fit but you do not know what they need for their particular school nor do you always know their restrictions. They have a very clear idea of the type of client that manages well and is safe in their host country and school. They are considering how mixed a department or grade level team is. There can be hundreds of applicants for one position and as applicants we often forget this because we are so anxious about landing the dream job. 

Administrators looking to move on also face challenges. They apply for a position and there typically seem to be 70 - 100+ applicants. If lucky, they get an initial fifteen minute interview followed by a possible two, three, or more interviews. If selected, they are often one of two or three flown to a country, which means they take off work to have
33-50% odds of landing the job. If they don't get it, they dust themselves off, pick up their ego, and start the process again. Imagine going through this process while recruiting for your current school's staffing needs and running a school.

Key things to consider:

• Ask for a hand if you are overwhelmed at work. Look especially for the staff who are staying put and not in the same boat you are in. We've all been there and know how stressful job searches can be.
• Start discussing with the agencies, like Search and ISS, how upsetting it is to complete all of their paperwork for the hiring process only to have individual schools expect you to complete similar forms on their own sites. This is becoming quite time consuming and undoubtedly impacts instruction and learning. Perhaps the agencies and schools need to get on board with each other and improve the systems. As educators we have to push that discussion.
• Ask your administrators if they have any tips for making yourself more marketable. Do they have any suggestions for improving your CV or your personal statement? Ask their opinion of your areas for growth so you can prepare yourself to address them in an interview. What do they view as your greatest strengths? Use these as a focus when asked to talk about yourself.
• Network. If you see a school with an opening and know someone working there, reconnect and ask for opinions about the school and see if they mind putting in a good word for you.
• Try not to be too discouraged if you go to a fair and don't land a position right away. Sometimes the administrators are heading from one fair to another and wait until they finish to make offers for certain positions. Another type of situation could be that you are an Art teacher they find very appealing but there is a decent Art teacher attached to a partner who is an excellent Physics teacher. The school might be desperate for a Physics teacher and have to offer to the couple first. Perhaps the school is in a country that allows staff to resign quite late in the process so they must wait for the actual resignation before offering you a contract. Again, the puzzles behind the scenes are impossible for you to know, although many schools are quite upfront. If you are not going to a fair, expect to wait until they've seen candidates in person. You might be on the back of their minds but they have chosen to see what the fairs have to offer first.
• Look at this time as an exciting opportunity to take risks and try to expand your experiences. Don't be afraid to ask to interview for a position outside of your comfort zone. Did you ever read the statistic from a Hewlett Packard report where they found men will go for a job when they meet 60% of the qualifications, but women only apply if they meet 100% of them (Mohr)? Schools put out the ideal qualifications but they often cannot find the ideal candidate so why not put yourself out there if you have experience relevant to the position? One of the best decisions I made was moving from Primary to Middle School teaching because someone suggested my teaching style was perfect for the age group. Take an interview for a place you were sure you would never live. I can honestly say I never pictured myself living in Dhaka, Bangladesh before going there. There are some truly amazing school communities in challenging places. Sometimes you get the ideal school and community, sometimes it's the location, and on occasion you luck into both? Open your mind to the possibilities.
• Be careful if you are a teaching couple to carefully discuss if one of you will be willing to step back in your career if the other gets an opportunity. You don't want to have this discussion after signing. It's not easy to be a trailing partner when you are a high flier in your own career. Have the discussion early on. Ask before signing if the trailing partner lands a job with the school later on if they are considered a local hire (in other words local pay). If so, does that matter to your financial situation? What will the trailing partner do if not working?
• If you have children old enough to understand, have you shared with them that you are moving? I have a friend currently interviewing at a fair and as soon as she found out which schools wanted a second interview with her, her and her kids got on the computer and researched the schools and the cities. Although her kids will obviously not make the final decision, they had an opportunity to give input. If you only have one choice, you obviously have to take a different approach. Perhaps you ask your children to find five things that they'd like to explore if they moved to that city and three things that sound exciting about the school.
• Don't become so consumed with looking for positions that you forget to look after yourself. Have a few set times in the day that you look for positions and send applications and then let it go until the following day. Keep a check on your physical, intellectual, emotional, and social well-being and be mindful of your interactions with the people you love.

​For those of you looking, I'm in this boat with you. With much needed support, we will make it through this process just as we have in the past. Thanks to my ladies who are keeping me sane.
Best of luck, Sharon

Regardless of where you live, this time of year is full of festivities. Many of us enjoy this time of year but I think it's a good time to remind people to look out for those who are on their own, struggling with their mental or physical health, having financial difficulties, lost a loved one in the past year, and those fighting addiction to name a few. Some of you reading this are thinking this is the toughest time of the year for you and you might not even be able to pinpoint why. Following are some simple suggestions to help yourself or others at this time of the year.

This time of year can be a challenge in the Northern Hemisphere because people go to school or work in the dark and come home in the dark. Trust me when I tell you that counselors see an uptick in lines outside their door during darker months. People have dips in serotonin levels and the decrease in sunlight can trigger depression. Changes in melatonin levels can change your sleep patterns and mood (Mayo Clinic Staff). If you notice that you feel low this time of year:

• take a walk outside during your lunch break and maybe grab a friend you think needs to join you
• find a nice bench to enjoy a tea or coffee outside during breaks
• drag your laptop to a picnic table and take in some fresh air while you work outside
• stay active so you get the mental health benefits of exercise
• use the weekends to take advantage of daylight hours and take up new outdoor activities, like mountain biking, hiking, or cross country skiing 
• make an appointment to see a doctor or therapist, especially if this dip in mood happens to you yearly.

Holidays can be quite stressful and people who don't struggle can be quite relentless with those who do. Give consideration to some of the following situations:

• ​Many recovering addicts get invited to party after party where there will be alcohol and maybe even drugs. If you have a friend you know is in recovery, offer an alternative to all of the parties, like going to a newly released movie, having a game night, going for a massage, or hitting a coffee shop. If recovering addicts do show up at a party, be their ally. People put tremendous pressure on others at parties to just have "one drink" and having you there can make all of the difference. When people offer a drink, tell them you were just headed to get each of you something.
• People struggling financially often feel awkward showing up to places where endless gifts are being passed around. Maybe consider going as a group to do some charitable work instead of focusing on gift giving. Invite them over for dinner instead of asking them to go out to spend money they don't have. 
• Family tension can be a cause for drama this time of year. Perhaps you can invite the person feeling left out to visit at a time that will be less stressful. Talk with your guests about other topics rather than the family issues. If you have been harboring ill feelings toward someone for quite some time about an issue that is not trauma related, forgiveness is worth considering. Forgiveness is something you do for yourself and the other person doesn't necessarily have to know. Letting go of those feelings does not mean you forget or condone but you let go for your own health benefits, such as decreases in stress, blood pressure, anger, depression, and hurt with increases in optimism, hope, compassion, and physical vitality (Keltner & Simon-Thomas). 
• If you know someone who has lost a loved one over the past year or so, the holidays are a reminder of times well spent with that person but can also be a reminder of the loss. Make a special effort to check on people who are grieving and don't feel like you have to shy away from mentioning the person who died. Yes, a grieving person might cry but that's normal. Imagine losing someone special and having no one even mention the person over the holidays.
• Those of us who live overseas know all too well how this time of year can be if you live alone or without extended family nearby. Expats often become quite good at making their own families in every country where they live. Give a bit of time to think of people you know who are on their own for the holidays. Extend invitations and make phone calls or send texts to show you care. Don't forget to invite foreigners to experience holidays of their host culture. There are military men and women who will not make it home so send cards and offer support to their family at home.
• Be mindful of those who are not extroverted. They might not want to come to a big party but might really appreciate an invite to a quaint restaurant or a home cooked meal at your place. Maybe an invite to a little Netflix marathon would work.
• People who struggle with their mental and physical health can find this time of year particularly challenging. Touch base. Ask the person what's going well and share what you are both grateful for. Ask the person to join you for a walk outside. Offer to pick the person up to go to a small social gathering to have some laughs. If you see the person really struggling, ask if you can call to make a doctor's appointment for a health checkup. I often ask if they want me to drive and go in to share with the doctor what I'm seeing. This can really take the pressure off. If you are struggling with your mental health, reach out to people you know will be compassionate and supportive. There is nothing wrong with getting in touch with someone and saying, "Hey, I've hit a serious low point and I really need support. Can you come over?" Keep trying until you find the right person. Remember that many countries have suicide hotline numbers for you to use if you feel suicidal. 

Make sure at this busy time of year that you take time to recharge your batteries. You cannot look after others if you don't keep yourself healthy and balanced. Self-care is something I mention regularly. There are endless ways to look after yourself but here are a few simple suggestions:

Check your insurance to see if you are covered for going to a counselor or therapist. If you are, take advantage of this benefit. How often do you have the opportunity to sit in front of someone who is there solely for you and is truly neutral? Typically when someone talks to me the first time they end by saying "I can't believe how much I just shared with you. I figured I'd just sit here and have nothing to say." Your mental health is as important as your physical health. How much time are you investing in each? Make your well-being a priority.

As a teacher and counselor, I can tell you that I've had far too many days where it took everything in me to keep my composure while in front of children and teens. There are times that I've heard such heart-wrenching stories that I have literally fallen apart in front of peers, or if lucky, I've managed to hold it together until I've walked through the door of my home. Children and teens of every society are vulnerable and at times they witness their moms being in helpless situations, as well. In many societies, there is still often no way out. As an example, in Bangladesh, 87% of married women will be victims of abuse by their husbands and the country is ill-equipped with services to help (Corraya, 2014). Don't think for a moment the abuse ends with the wife. To make matters worse, financial laws are in favor of men. In 2013, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry of Japan reported that 73,765 cases of abuse were handled by their child services (Ito). Reporting is up but that does not necessarily equate to help. In a conference I attended in Tokyo on helping abused children, counselors and teachers were told to encourage children to report their own parents for abuse because if a child reported the abuse, the help happened much more swiftly. In Germany and the US, social services exist but the social workers are often overwhelmed. In Mauritius, as in many places, abuse is often not reported due to cultural stigma (Lexpress, 2007). In the expat scene, abused trailing partners and children are often in very vulnerable positions if they are in a country on dependent Visas with the trailing partner having no financial means.
Why do I share this with you? Regardless of where I have lived, women and children often live in trying circumstances and have no way out, or the way out is not promising. I do not mean to imply that men are never victims, especially if they are homosexual or transgender, nor do I want to make light of the seriousness of men's issues. My focus for this post will be on women, children, and teens, as statistics warrant this being presented as a separate issue; however, many of the links I share also include statistics about men.
My goal with this post is to maybe help you to help the children and the women we love live as safe and healthy a life as possible. We can't be with our own children all day, every day and we can't take our most troubled students home with us. We can try to prepare them with tools and knowledge and ensure they know we are their best partners in life. We can look out for the struggling children in our communities. I venture to say that one of the biggest mistakes we make, though done with the best of intentions, is trying to keep our own children in a bubble. Accurate, timely information is key, and as adults, we need to start discussing these taboo topics with one another more honestly and openly. I'm going to provide you with the information to get these discussions started.

The issues I shared above are ones women, children, and teens I know are most likely to face. I recognize that I did not touch some of the pressing global issues for children and women but I've tried to include links below of ways you can get involved. I know people hesitate to leave comments on mental health blogs, but I would love for people to share any organizations or ideas you have for ways people can get involved with these issues. The whole point of the blog is to get people talking openly; changes are happening for the better but we all need to get involved.

• Global Giving - crowdfunding used to support nonprofit organizations
• V-day - organize an event or donate to end violence against women and children
• Save the Children - International
• RAINN - rape, abuse, and incest national network (US)
• Women's Funding Network - largest philanthropic network devoted to women and girls
• Melinda Gates' Top 5 foundations supporting women and children
• Their world - giving children globally the best possible start
• Child in crisis - educating children globally
• Letgirlslearn - educating girls globally
• World Bank - Financial inclusion of women
• IRC - helping refugees
• Days for Girls International - providing kits to keep menstruating girls from missing school
• Organizations combatting human trafficking
• Acid Survivors Foundation of Bangladesh and Acid Survivors Trust International
• Honour Based Violence Awareness Network
• Start Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) at your school - Getting dads more involved in schools internationally- National Center for Fathering -fabulous site with parenting ideas for dads
• 16 organizations fighting female genital mutilation 
• Contact a women's shelter in your area and ask how you can help
• Volunteer at a local organization or hotline that provides help for women and children in need
• Be a mentor for a child or teen in need
• Create the safe place for children or teens to hang out
• Get involved with school parent organizations
• Volunteer to coach sports, run social clubs, or assist with Arts programs
• Fight for legislation that addresses the maltreatment of women and children [Example]

Sources
The active links for videos and resources above will take you directly to the sites where I conducted my research. The other sources are listed below. Photo - here.

Akhtar, Miriam. Positive Psychology for Overcoming Depression: Self-help Strategies for Happiness, Inner Strength and Well-being. London: Watkins, 2012. Print.
Colman, Jessica, MAPP. Optimal Functioning: A Positive Psychology Handbook. N.p.: Colman, 2010. Electronic.
Fredrickson, Barbara, PhD. "Positive Psychology." Coursera. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Mar. 2015. Lecture.
Fredrickson, Barbara, PhD. "Positivity Test." Positivity. Fredrickson, 2009. Web. 27 Apr. 2016. <https://www.positivityratio.com/index.php>.
Keltner, Dacher. Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life. New York: W.W. Norton, 2009. Print.
Maldonado, Marissa. "The Anxiety of Facebook." PsychCentral. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 Apr. 2016. <http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-anxiety-of-facebook/>.
Lyubomirsky, Sonja. The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want. New York: Penguin, 2008. Print.
O'Hanlon, Bill, and Bob Bertolino. The Therapist's Notebook on Positive Psychology: Activities, Exercises, and Handouts. New York, NY: Brunner-Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2012. Print.
Peterson, Christopher. A Primer in Positive Psychology. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2006. Print.

Top image is mine and edited using Font Candy / Second image is the Facebook logo that I edited on Font Candy
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Sexual Education is a source of stress for educators and parents. I will be spending the next few months writing blogs on this topic on my teen page, which will be beneficial for you to read, as well. Sexual Education doesn't start at puberty. Your reaction to your baby playing with his penis or her vulva is educating your child. As is your view of playing "doctor" or teaching your child about "safe" touches in pre-school. Sexual Education doesn't end in high school, as many young adults will more actively explore their sexuality at university. They could also face circumstances, like walking across a campus at night or going to large parties where vulnerability sometimes becomes very real. Perhaps they see friends involved in abusive relationships. They might directly enter the work force and find themselves facing sexual harassment. Your role in this challenging area of development is an important one. Ensuring your kids have a number of adults you all trust is key. Sadly, they will not always go to you, even if you are typically their biggest ally and confidant.

Feel free to send me links you find educational and helpful and I'll try to incorporate them in my blogs. Contact me if you need a Skype session to develop your Sexual Education program in school or if you need help planning a talk with your child.

Image:
​Parker, Imogen. "Young People, Sex and Relationships: The New Norms." IPPR. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2016.
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