For Parents

Our children are surrounded by information about relationships and sex – in advertising, on the internet, in storylines on the TV and in magazines.

As parents and carers we can help separate fact from fiction. The earlier and more we talk to our children about growing up, relationships and sex, the more we’ll help them understand a confusing world where teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections are high.

Talking about relationships and sex does not encourage children or teenagers to experiment. In fact, talking openly with our children can help:

• Give them the confidence to practise safer sex and talk to their future partners about sex, relationships and contraception
• Delay their first sexual experience
• Help them avoid unwanted pregnancies or abortion and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

During the summer of 2009 we talked to parents and carers from across Bristol. They told us that they should be the most important source of information and advice on relationships and sex and that more support was needed. We’ve produced this website to help and there is also a top tips leaflet available from pharmacies, Doctors surgeries and schools in Bristol and, from 2010, there will be workshops that you can attend in your community.

Because starting conversations with your child may be hard, especially if your own sex education wasn’t ideal, we’ve included lots of information on the page below.