For Parents
How different would your life be if you had affirming and honest conversations
about sexual health while you were growing up?
Whole Life Sexual Health Education is a full-circle effort that takes place both at school and at home. Our school curriculum, parent workshops, and one-on-one consulting support both children and adults with quality information and a set of actionable skills that help create natural communication and open discussions. We are focused on building communities and supporting healthy families by taking the guesswork out of what to talk about, when and how. We believe that sexual health should be as easy to talk about as the math quiz, or what happened at recess. The more we confidently and comfortably talk with our kids, the easier it gets, and the more impact we have in building the foundation for a healthy life.
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Workshops are offered to parent groups, in schools, or for private gatherings of 10 adults or more.
Please contact us to learn more or inquire about scheduling.
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Our Foundational Workshop:
Pause, Look, Listen
Raising sexually healthy, positive and empathetic children and adolescents
Designed for anyone involved in the lives of children, the Pause, Look, Listen workshops provide families with a parenting framework to meet their children in the moment. Workshops are broken down by stages of childhood development (0-7, 8-12, and 13-17 years old). Parents learn how children can be inspired, nurtured, and encouraged by considering how they feel, what they experienced and any lingering issues or trauma responses that will arise during their child's growth stage. A parent and child can grow together provided the adult addresses any sexual shame or issue that would inhibit their child from experiencing positive and healthy messaging about their sexual health and sexuality. We will go on a short journey together to explore the message you want to send to your children.
Ages 0-7
This workshop will provide an understanding of infancy through 7 years old using a framework for communicating with your child about their sexual health. Additionally, we invite adults to reflect upon their attitudes and beliefs about sexuality and consider how these will affect their children's own development into sexually healthy individuals.
Ages 8-12
This workshop will provide an understanding of 8 through 12 years old using a framework for communicating with your child about their sexual health. Additionally, we invite adults to reflect upon their attitudes and beliefs about sexuality and consider how these will affect their children's own development into sexually healthy individuals.
Ages 13-17
This workshop will provide an understanding of 13 through 17 years old using a framework for communicating with your child about their sexual health. Additionally, we invite adults to reflect upon their attitudes and beliefs about sexuality and consider how these will affect their children's own development into sexually healthy individuals.
Why Does Sex Ed Matter?
According to the current working definition, sexual health is "…a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled” (WHO, 2006a).
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Did you know that youth want to talk with parents about sex, relationships and sexual health? (Source: Hacker et al., 2001)
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Below we have highlighted key statistics that illustrate the importance of whole life sexual health education. How we talk about and perceive sexual health growing up affects who we become as adults and, in turn, how we raise and teach our children. Together, we can change the conversation.
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Unprotected Sex
Teens who talk with a trusted adult about sex and protection are less likely to engage in early and/or unprotected sexual intercourse than are teens who haven't talked with a trusted adult (Miller et al, 1998).
02
Childhood Sexual Abuse
1 out of 4 girls, and 1 out of 13 boys experience child sexual abuse. Ninety-one percent of the time the perpetrator is someone familiar to the parent and child. Childhood sexual abuse is preventable. Read more here.
03
LGBT Youth Suicide
The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ youth (13-24) seriously consider suicide each year in the U.S. — and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds. Read more here.
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Body Dysmorphia
Body Dysmorphic Disorder tends to occur during adolescence, the most common age of onset is 12 to 13 years. (Bjornsson et al., 2013).
05
Pornography/Sexual Media
The average first pornography exposure is between 11 and 12 years old (Kraus & Rosenberg, 2014; Rothman, 2021).
Topic Specific Workshops
Consent & Body Autonomy
There are opportunities to teach consent and encourage body autonomy as well as setting boundaries at any age. The earlier kids learn these skills the better. Read more in the Why This Matters section.
Gender Spectrum
For parents who want to learn ways to support and understand their child’s gender expression. Learn about vocabulary, science, gender expectations. Great for grandparents, caregivers, clinicians and educators.
Body & Feelings
Preparing for and helping your child through puberty as their bodies are changing and big feelings are emerging. It’s a great time to remember what it all felt like and assure your kids you’ve got their back!
Media Literacy
Sexual Media Literacy is critical for our kids. By 11 years old most kids have been exposed to pornography and often by accident. This can be upsetting and confusing. Learn ways to respond calmly and accurately to questions about pornography. Lay the groundwork early so your child is prepared and knows they can talk to you.
Sexual Diversity
For parents who want to learn ways to support and understand their child who may be navigating the coming out process or is already there! Great for grandparents, caregivers, clinicians and educators.
Pause, Look, Listen
Click here to learn more about our Pause, Look, Listen workshops offered by age group (0-7, 8-12, 13-17) for caregivers, parents, clinicians, educators and anyone looking to learn.
Something for Everyone
We offer a variety of workshops to fit your family or organization's needs. Select from our menu of adult-centered workshops, or browse our upcoming workshops to see what is available right now. Interested in having your organization host a private workshop or workshop series? Contact us today!
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