Speakeasy: Talking with Your Children About Growing Up [Paperback]

I hope you enjoy this book, and find it useful. I certainly did. --Dr Miriam Stoppard , Speakeasy: talking with your children about growing up (May, 2009) book foreword

Just a quick word to say how truly excellent I think the new Speakeasy book is!

Accurate (of course), informative (naturally), but also accessible, friendly, warm and giving all the emotional advice ... which parents need.

Speakeasy: talking with your children about growing up helps develop the skills, knowledge and confidence parents and carers need to talk about these topics. It is crucial that young people receive good sex and relationships education from their parents. This can delay when they first have sex, make them aware of how to avoid unwanted pregnancy and STIs as well as help with their emotional development. Suitable to use with children of any age, this book includes stories from parents, typical questions children may ask and suggestions of how parents and carers can answer these appropriately for their age. Throughout the chapters there is clear information about growing up, emotions and relationships, puberty, sex and sexuality, pregnancy and pregnancy choices. The information also covers contraception, sexually transmitted infections and how children and young people can keep safe. This book was written in consultation with parents. This is the only book on this topic based on long-running, formally evaluated training programme for parents. These Speakeasy courses have already helped an estimated 10,000 parents and children across the UK. Audience: parents, carers and grandparents of children of all ages. Also recommended to parenting professionals, teachers, youth workers and others who work with children and young people.

Speakeasy: talking with your children about growing up Talking with your child about growing up, sex and relationships may feel like a daunting prospect, but there
are ways to help make it easier.

You probably already have most of the skills you need to talk with your child about sex and relationships - you chat with your child, laugh together, answer their questions, help them learn about the world. All these skills play an important part in talking with your child about sex and relationships as a normal part of life.

This book aims to help you develop these skills and build up your knowledge and confidence so that you can dissolve the mystery and (most of!) the embarrassment around sex and relationships. Throughout the chapters, there is clear information about growing up, sexuality, puberty and sex, pregnancy and pregnancy choices, as well as contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and how your child can keep safe.

The book includes stories from other parents, typical questions your child may ask on a range of topics and suggestions of how you can answer appropriately for their age.

Founded in 1930, fpa (Family Planning Association) is the leading sexual health charity in the UK. The organisation is recognised as the national leader in sexual health training. fpa operates a national helpline, runs high-profile campaigns and works directly with young people, parents and carers in local communities. The organisation publishes a range of publications for health and education professionals, for young people and for women and men needing information on sexual health.