Why arent' we talking to our kids?

Question

I have seen WAY too many questions from teens/kids on here about pregnancy and such...

then I wonder.. where are all the parents these days!? They should be the first one the little girls should be talking to! But no... she's asking Yahoo!Answers instead... that's pitiful.

What kind of parents are we, this day in age, where our own children can't talk to us about important things such as pregnancies and sex... think about THAT!

Now.. go talk to your kids about sex, alcohol, drugs, boys, girls, periods, SEX, smoking, peer pressure, honesty... etc. (YOU get the picture!)

Quit making those topics such a "no-no" subject... our children are getting taught these things from other kids who don't know the truth! Be the truth to your kids!

Answer 1

It has always been thus, since the memory of man runneth not to the contrary.

No, it wasn't always Yahoo and the Internet, but kids have been learning about sex from their peers rather than their parents for as long as there have been kids and sex. I first heard about it around kindergarten (you know that 90% of it was misinformation at that age!), long before my parents had even considered having "the talk." And even if my parents had offered to tell me everything earlier, I doubt I would have asked them the sort of questions that get asked here (and on schoolyards) on a regular basis, if for no other reason than embarassment.

I understand your concern, and I agree that parents (and I am one) must not stick their heads in the sand to avoid reality - a reality that is more dangerous today than in past generations because of the information and misinformation of the Internet. But I'm enough of a realist to know that kids need to learn through many processes and from many sources to develop their own knowledge base and world view. Parents are an important first step and guiding force, but we won't be the last word on many subjects, at least as far as our kids are concerned.

Answer 2

wow.. someone with a brain.. thank god.. welcome to the minority. You are absolutely correct.. too many people are asking questions their parents should answer and some 13 year old boy is answering them for them.. it's sad.. anytime i come across one of those i try to tell the to go talk to their parents but how much of that really comes across? there isn't much that can be done from this end because if they had the relationship where they felt they could talk to their parents they already would have.. so like you said, it's the parents job to find your children and educate them! don't be afraid, they are your children and you are the adult! do what you are supposed to do and BE THEIR ROLE MODEL. In the end it will just strengthen your relationship with them. Also, think of how many predators are monitoring these sites? you know they are.. do you really want THEM teaching your children anything or talking to them when they come across with a question about sex and the likes? we have a responsibility as adults, even those of us who aren't parents to help children find the correct path.. and that path is not learning their most important life answers on yahoo answers.. also.. many of these children are asking these questions during school hours.. so don't think just because you know they aren't doing it at home it isn't happening.

Answer 3

I totally agree with you. I think its sad, I thank God that my kids know that i am here for them. Its sad when parents get caught up in other things and don't put their kids on top of their priority list. That's why kids are the way they are today, because the PARENTS don't take the time to see if their children are happy and well. Not a day goes by without my kids giving me hugs and kisses and saying i love you, its an awesome feeling when they just out of no where give me a kiss and say i love you mom. If they don't say it to me in the whole day I make sure I say it to them at bed time. Its good for kids to be constantly reassured that we are there for them and that we love them. It only takes a minute or two to say i love you and give them a kiss. I think if parents took the time to ACTUALLY get to know their kids, it would prevent alot of bad things from happening to them.

Taking the time to get to know your kids leads to having a great bond with them. Once you have a bond with your child, then that's when you begin to gain their trust. And when you gain their trust, that's when you begin to have a harmonious relationship with them.
How do I know this? I practice this everyday with my kids.

Answer 4

I guess I kind of agree with you - I don't have any kids yet, but I don't think I could have had these kind of discussions with my parents either.
These kids might be luckier that they have a forum like this where they can source information to make educated decisions. They just need to be able to sift through all of the bullshit.
Well posed question.

Answer 5

Not to mention, Why are people answering some of these kids questions. Many people, adults no less are giving advice to very young children about having sex, hiding this from their families, being homosexual and other very explicit sexual things.
Why would another adult think it's okay for a 13 year old to experiment with sex. Who in their right mind could tell a young boy to experiment with another boy to find out if he is gay or not....What kind of example is that for an adult to put forward.
Yes, parents need to be more involved in their children's lives, and set better examples for them to follow. Our children are OUR future - lets care about what they are doing, and what other children are doing.

I also think many on yahoo need to be a little more careful on what kind of information they are giving out to young children and teens...Again, their future matters!

Answer 6

Some kids may be afraid to discuss these and other topics with their parents. Some parents may feel that their kids are too young to have certain conversations. But what you have stated is very true. I have two daughters and I will always remind them that they can come and talk to me about anything.

Answer 7

Kids don't approach their parents nowday because most of them are not there thar much. catch my drift? They are too busy with other things, and besides most of the time they overreact.

Answer 8

YOU ARE SO RIGHT I COULDN'T OF SAID IT ANY BETTER. MY KIDS ARE OVER 18 AND THEY HAVE ALWAYS CAME TO ME WIH ANY QUESTIONS THAT THEY HAVE HAD.