Books to Help Parents and Caregivers
Talk with Their Children about Sexuality Issues*

Beyond The Big Talk: Every Parent’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Teens From Middle School to High School and Beyond
Debra W. Haffner, M.P.H.
This book helps parents and caregivers address sexuality issues with their children. It provides specific information for each age group: middle school (grades seven and eight), early high school (grades nine and 10), late high school (grades 11 and 12) and beyond (ages 19 and up). Each section includes “values exercises” to help parents determine their own beliefs on certain topics as well as discussions and tips to help parents and caregivers communicate those beliefs to their teenager; “special issues” discussions including eating disorders, date rape, and sexual violence; and advice on finding “teachable moments” in daily life to discuss important topics with teens.
2002, ISBN 1557045178 (Paperback); 2001, ISBN 1557044724 (Hardcover)

"But How'd I Get in There in the First Place?” Talking to Your Young Child about Sex
Deborah Roffman
This book for parents of children three to six years old is intended to help parents begin talking about sexuality, conception, and birth. The author’s approach is that the key to talking with children about sexuality is knowing that their questions fall into three easily recognizable categories. At age three or four, kids are curious about geography ("Where was I before I was here?"), and at four or five, about delivery ("Exactly how did I get out of there?"). Finally, the six-year-old’s classic stumper—"But how'd I get in there in the first place?”
2002, ISBN 0738205729 (Paperback)

But I Love Him: Protecting Your Teen Daughter From Controlling, Abusive Dating Relationships
Dr. Jill Murray
This book is intended to help parents identify patterns of controlling, abusive behavior in dating relationships. Chapters include “What Is Teen Dating Abuse?,” “Verbal and Emotional Abuse: The First Level of Violence,” “Sexual Abuse: The Second Level of Violence,” “Physical Abuse: The Third Level of Violence,” “Warning Signs: Recognizing Abusive Teenage Relationships,” “Why Girls Choose Abusive Relationships,” “Girls Who Abuse Boys,” “and “Why Teens Don’t Tell: How to Talk to Your Daughter About Abuse.”
2001, ISBN 0060957298 (Paperback); 2000, ISBN 0060197242 (Hardcover)

Family Connections: A Guidebook for Parents Of Children
Family Health Council, Inc., Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention
This set of three guidebooks is for parents of children from birth to 7 years, ages 8-13, and ages 14-18. Parents can use these booklets to help them communicate with their children about sexuality. These informative guidebooks discuss child development, puberty, contraception, sexual abuse, and sexually transmitted diseases.
1996; Free; Family Health Council, Inc., Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, 960 Penn Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15222; Phone: 412/288-0518; Web site: http://www.fhcinc.org

Flight of the Stork: What Children Think (and When) About Sex and Family Building
Anne C. Bernstein
This book explores children's understanding of sex and reproduction, as well as their awareness of other forms of family building, namely, adoption and assisted reproductive technology. It translates basic research findings into relevant, and practical information for parents and professionals. The author's suggestions should prove invaluable to parents who are searching for ways to help their children understand the complexities of human sexuality and family building.
1994, ISBN 0944934099 (Paperback)

From Diapers To Dating: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Children
Debra W. Haffner, M.P.H.
This book is filled with practical advice and guidelines to help parents feel more comfortable talking to children and early adolescents about sexuality issues. Incorporating value exercises, it encourages parents to examine their own sexual values so that they can share these messages with their children. From Dating to Diplomas: A Parent’s Guide for Raising Sexually Healthy Adolescents will be available in 2001.
2000, ISBN 1557044260 (Paperback); 1999, ISBN 155704385X (Hardcover)

How to Talk with Teens about Love, Relationships, & S-E-X: A Guide for Parents
Amy G. Miron, M.S., and Charles D. Miron, Ph.D.
This book will guide parents as they talk with their teens about sexuality issues. It will help them define their values and goals and address topics such as sexual development, orientation, expression, pleasure, and safer sex.
2002, ISBN 157542102X (Paperback)

More Speaking of Sex: What Your Children Need To Know and When They Need To Know It, Second Edition
Meg Hickling, R.N.
This book provides practical, age-appropriate suggestions for parents and caregivers to discuss sexuality issues with their children. It addresses “What Your Child Needs to Know And When They Need to Know It,” “Straight Answers to the Questions Your Children Will Ask,” “Helping Your Children Stay Healthy,” and “Communicating Your Values.” A resource list and bibliography are included.
1999, ISBN 1896836372 (Paperback)

Mothering Teens: Understanding the Adolescent Years
Miriam Kaufman, Editor
This book helps parents to understand adolescence. Divided into three sections, it outlines issues that are basic to many teen experiences. Essays include: "Change is the Essence: Adolescent Development," "What Is the Role of Gender?," "Sexuality: The Desire to Be Lovable and Loving," and "Coming Out: Parents of Lesbian and Gay Teens."
1997, ISBN 0921881460 (Paperback)

Nuestras Hijas Y Nuestros Hijos: Preguntas y Respuestas para Padres de Gays, Lesbianas y Bisexuals
PFLAG
This pamphlet provides questions and answers for parents of gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. It is also available in English.
2000; $1.95; PFLAG, 1726 M Street, N.W., Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036; Phone: 202/467-8180; Web site: http://www.pflag.org

Papá, Mamá, Soy Gay: Una Guía Para Comprender Las Orientaciones Y Preferencias Sexuales De Los Hijos
Rinna Riesenfeld
This book helps parents understand and support their gay or lesbian children. It addresses disclosure, expectations and dreams for your children, myths and fears, questions and concerns.
2000, ISBN 9700512398 (Paperback)

Raising A Child Responsibly In a Sexually Permissive World Second Edition
Sol Gordon, Ph.D. and Judith Gordon, M.S.W.
This book provides practical information for parents to discuss sexuality issues with their children. Chapters include “Promoting Self-Esteem in Children,” “Becoming an Askable Parent,” “What Children Need To Know,” “and “Fostering a Child’s Sexual Integrity in Special Situation.”
1999, ISBN 1580621775 (Paperback)

Sex Is More Than a Plumbing Lesson: A Parent's Guide
Patty Stark
This book stresses the complex nature of human sexuality and the parent's role as a sexuality educator. Written clearly and directly, it encourages parents to communicate with their children about sexuality.
1990, ISBN 0962946303 (Paperback)

Sex & Sensibility: The Thinking Parent's Guide to Talking Sense about Sex
Deborah Roffman
This book for parents is intended to inspire honest communication about sexuality between parents and their children. Chapters include “Age Appropriateness: Too Much, Too Little, or Just Right?” “Values: Becoming Your Child’s Cultural Interpreter,” “Sexuality: More Who We Are Than What We Do,” “Sexual Health: Five Universal Needs Along the Way,” “Limit Setting: Keeping Our Children Safe and Healthy,” and “Sexual Orientation: Why and How It’s Everyone’s Business.”
2001, ISBN 0738205206 (Paperback); 2000, ISBN 0738202932 (Hardcover)

Sex Is Not a Four-Letter Word! Talking with Your Children Made Easier
Patricia Martens Miller
This book encourages Christian parents to develop honest, open communication with their children about sexuality and morality. Chapters include: "Are You Comfortable With Your Own Sexuality," "Self-Esteem: The Essential Ingredient," "Loving Your Gay or Lesbian Child," and "The Reality of Sexual Abuse."
1995, ISBN 0824514378 (Paperback)

Sexual Abuse of Children and Adolescents
William E. Prendergast
This book is intended for parents, teachers, and counselors as a guide to prevent sexual abuse of children and adolescents. It includes information on the makeup of the victimizer, the needs and reasoning of children and adolescents, and the mistakes that parents, teachers, religious leaders, and even counselors make. A parents' checklist, glossary, and index are included.
1996, ISBN 0826408923 (Hardcover)

Sexual Development of Young Children
Virginia Lively and Edwin Lively
This resource helps to clarify issues in the sexual development of children. An appropriate book for both parents and teachers, the book is especially helpful in answering questions and focusing discussions.
1991, ISBN 0827341989 (Paperback)

Sexuality: Your Sons and Daughters With Intellectual Disabilities
Karin Melberg Schwier and Dave Hingsburger
This book provides information to parents and caregivers on interacting with their children-no matter what their age or ability-in a way that increases their self esteem, encourages appropriate behavior, empowers them to recognize and respond to abuse, and enables them to develop lifelong relationships. Throughout the book, parents share the joys and challenges of raising a child with an intellectual disability as they offer advice and practical strategies. Individuals with disabilities share information about what is important to them.
2000, ISBN 1557664285 (Paperback)

Talking Back: Ten Things Teens Want Parents To Know About Teen Pregnancy
This pamphlet provides tips for parents about how to help teens avoid pregnancy based upon teens responses to the question “If you could give your parents and other important adults advice about how to help you and your friends avoid pregnancy, what would it be?” A resource list is included. A Spanish version is available.
1999; Free; The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 1776 Massachusetts Ave, N.W., Suite 200, Washington, D.C. 20036; Phone: 202/478-8500; Web site: http://www.teenpregnancy.org

Talking To Kids About Tough Issues
Lynne S. Dumas
This booklet offers tips and techniques for talking with children about important issues. Chapters include “First Things First,” “Talking With Kids About AIDS,” “Talking With Kids About Sex and Sexuality,” “Talking With Kids About Violence,” and “Talking With Kids About Drugs and Alcohol.” A Spanish version is available.
1996; Free; Children Now, 800/CHILD-44; Available at http://www.talkingwithkids.org

Teaching Human Sexuality: A Guide for Parents and Other Caregivers
Judy Cyprian
This manual, intended for foster parents but can be used by parents and other caregivers. Offering guidelines and suggestions it presents basics sexuality information by developmental age. A glossary, referrals, resources are included.
2001, ISBN 0878686614 (Spiral)

Ten Talks Parents Must Have With Their Children About Sex and Character
Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D. and Dominic Cappello
This book is intended for parents of children in grades 4 through 12. Developed to help parents and children talk about sexuality and building character it offers advice to parents on how to begin and what to say. Topics include safety, character, peer pressure, ethics, the Internet, and the media. Each chapter provides ways for parents to clarify their values and family rules about specific sexuality issues, anecdotes to share with children to foster communication, questions to ask your child, opportunity to reflect on responses and identify potential problems, and sample talks.
2000, ISBN 0786885483 (Paperback)

Ten Tips For Parents: To Help Their Children Avoid Teen Pregnancy
This pamphlet provides tips for parents and other adults who want to help children avoid teen pregnancy. A resource list is included. A Spanish version is available.
1998; Free; The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 1776 Massachusetts Ave, N.W., Suite 200, Washington, D.C. 20036; Phone: 202/478-8500; Web site: http://www.teenpregnancy.org

Understanding Your Child’s Sexual Behavior What’s Natural and Healthy
Toni Cavanagh Johnson, Ph.D.
This book addresses healthy and unhealthy sexual behaviors of children and adolescents from birth to 12 years of age. It provides parents, caregivers and professionals with information to help identify, understand and respond appropriately to these behaviors. Chapters include “Understanding Children’s Sexual Exploration and Curiosity,” “Characteristics of Problematic Sexual Behaviors During Childhood,” “Possible Causes of Problematic Sexual Behaviors During Childhood,” “Sibling Incest—What Is It?,” “and Communications About Sex With Your Child.”
1999, ISBN 1572241411 (Paperback)

Venus in Blue Jeans: Why Mothers & Daughters Need to Talk About Sex: Sage Advice & Practical Strategies For Guiding Girls Toward Womanhood
Nathalie Bartle, Ed.D.
This book emphasizes the importance of a mother’s role in sexuality education. Using personal stories and the voices of other mothers, Bartle encourages mothers to empower their daughters to think of sexuality as a natural and healthy part of adolescence.
1999, ISBN 0440508800 (Paperback); 1998, ISBN 0395841720 (Hardcover)

When Sex Is the Subject: Attitudes and Answers for Young Children
Pamela M. Wilson, MSW
Written for teachers and parents, this book addresses questions of children 10 years old and younger. The psychosocial development and learning process of children is discussed. Guidelines are provided for accurate and comfortable responses.
1991, ISBN 1560710640 (Paperback)

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