How to talk about sexuality at home without dying in the attempt

Talking about sexuality at home tends to be uncomfortable, even today. Without going any further, I invite you to remember how this topic was treated in your families of origin. Often, the answer is: “There was no sex education at home.” But not talking about it also educates. Transmitting to children that it makes us uncomfortable is, in essence, teaching them that sexuality is a taboo. And thus, it will be difficult for us to become role models.

That's why it's important to answer a question that many parents ask themselves: from what age should we start talking about sexuality at home? The answer is that there is no specific age. Sexuality should be integrated from the beginning, as another part of education, adapting to the children's questions and concerns according to their developmental stage.

Here's an important key: understanding what they are really asking us and how far we need to go in our answer. It's not about explaining everything, but about accompanying them with honesty and sense. It is also fundamental to take advantage of opportunities that arise in daily life: if a child curiously observes an image of someone in underwear, or if they refuse to kiss an adult, we have an opportunity to talk about the body, intimacy, consent, and boundaries. And this is also sex education.

Educating about sexuality is not just about talking about risks – although that too – but about helping them know their own bodies, set boundaries, respect them, and understand diversity. The discomfort is often ours, the adults', because we look at sexuality from an adult perspective. And perhaps the most important thing is not to transmit or perpetuate this view.

In short, educating about sexuality at home doesn't consist of having “the talk” when adolescence arrives, but rather knowing how to be available, taking advantage of the day-to-day, and responding naturally to the questions that arise.