Talking About Sex with Your Kids: A Recap of Virtual Workshop with Kyle Mortenson

Did you miss our virtual workshop on Monday, September 23, with Kyle Mortenson on talking to your teens and tweens about sex and adolescent health? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! This post summarizes the key takeaways and resources shared by our amazing presenter.

About our Workshop Presenter: Kyle Mortenson

Kyle Mortenson, aka, the “Consent Queen,” is a National Board Certified Teacher with 16 years of experience in health education. Over the last 12 years, she has had the opportunity to work with over 4,000 high school students, guiding them through the critical topics of healthy relationships and personal well-being.

She is passionate about helping students, teachers, coaches, and parents engage in those challenging yet essential conversations. Her focus is on healthy relationship education, where she explores topics like consent, setting boundaries, and understanding the human body in an inclusive and affirming way.

Busted Myths

Kyle started off her presentation by clearing the air: Just because kids have access to the internet, doesn’t mean they know everything. They still need your guidance! Second, while you should definitely be a supportive parent, don’t take over entirely. Help them navigate tricky situations, but let them learn too. Finally, believe it or not, kids actually do want to talk about sex. They just might be shy about bringing it up.

So, When Do We Start?

There’s no magic age! The best approach is tailored to your child. Here are some tips:

• Focus on Inclusive Language: Use gender-neutral terms for body parts and embrace the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Research pronouns and ask your child what feels comfortable for them.
• Start Early and Often: Birth stories can be a great way to introduce these topics early on.
• Meet Them Where They Are: Adjust the conversation based on your child’s age and development.

Finding Those “In” Moments

Need a nudge to get the conversation flowing? Try these “in” moments:

• Share your own experiences (“I remember when I learned about…” )
• Use current events (“Did you hear about…?” )
• Utilize everyday situations (Groceries, car rides, even songs on the radio)
• Be open about your own awkwardness.
• Make it a learning experience: Try a science experiment with period products!

The Key Ingredient: Consent

No matter who or what the situation involves, consent is crucial in all relationships – romantic and otherwise! Making connections between other topics where you’ve talked about consent with your kids can be another way to begin conversations about consent as it relates to sex and dating, too.

Offering Support – Even When You Aren’t There

Sometimes, there are experiences where your teen or tween might find themselves in an uncomfortable situation and could use your help.  Here’s a helpful tip from Kyle: Create a safe word/emoji system with your child. This gives them a way to discreetly signal they need an out of a situation. When you get their text, you can call or text back and they can tell those around them that they have to leave or can’t participate in whatever is making them uncomfortable, letting them use you as the reason!

Feeling Unsure? Think about this!

Kyle also highlighted a powerful point: If your child feels comfortable asking questions and doesn’t feel shame, you’re doing a great job!

Resources

Looking for more information and support? We’ve got you covered! Here are some fantastic resources shared by Kyle during her presentation.

If you would like access to the recorded session, please register on our website.

And Don’t Forget!

Your support system goes beyond this blog post. Counselors, teachers, and teen health clinics are also great resources. We hope this recap empowers you to have open and honest conversations with your kids about sex!

Opinions expressed by individual writers in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Board of Directors of The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers, nor do they represent an official position of VaHomeschoolers. Writers’ views are their own, and readers are encouraged to research and explore homeschooling issues to their own satisfaction.