Things to Teach Your Daughter About Her Body
As your daughter gets older, maybe even before she hits puberty, she will likely start to have a lot more questions about her body. This is totally normal, and something that you will need to be prepared for as a parent. It’s important to encourage your daughter to come with you for questions, and start these conversations early.
It’s perfectly normal to feel a little bit uncomfortable or even unqualified to have those conversations with your daughter, but they are ones that you need to have. Here are a few things you need to teach your daughter about her body that isn’t covered in any kind of parenting books.
Talk about The Birds and The Bees
Sex education classes are not the place where your child should be first hearing about the birds and the bees. Instead, take the time to sit down with them and talk about it while they are still young. As a mom, I personally believe that sex is a beautiful act of love, but one that should wait until after you are married. Make sure you talk with your daughter about sex, but align it with your values.
Educate your Daughter about Who Should See Their Body
Educate your daughter about who should and shouldn’t be seeing their body. Make sure to specify circumstances when it might be okay, such as in a doctor’s office when their parents are present. It’s also important to teach your daughters about sexting and the dangers of sending naked pictures to people. It’s important to teach your daughter that nobody should be taking pictures of themselves naked, or showing them to anyone else.
Teach your Daughter about Sexual Abuse and Assault
It’s important to talk to your daughter about the dangers of both sexual abuse and sexual assault. While you may have already had the conversation about what to do if an adult touches them in an inappropriate way, you also need to teach them about what to do if another child does it. Child-on-child abuse is on the rise, and it is a conversation you need to have with your daughter now.
Other Resources
It’s important to continue talking with your daughter about her body and the changes she will see in the coming years. If she is too embarrassed to talk to you, consider finding a counselor that they can see or someone who they can talk to.
There are a number of amazing books out there that you can read to your child to help them learn and understand about their bodies. Make sure to reiterate to them that no one should be doing anything to hurt their body, and help them understand that someones it might be confusing as to what that is. If your daughter is asking you questions, do your best to answer them with the information you have.
Talking with your daughter about her body can be kind of awkward and even a little embarrassing. However, the conversations you have with her now will make her more educated and will help her make smarter decisions down the road.
Have you talked to your daughter about the birds and the bees?
