(CNN) - Like most teenagers, growing up, I had many questions about sex, but you do not really want to ask my parents. No I wanted to ask anyone anything.
I tried to build things myself with what I read in books, seen in films and plays.
Not that my parents had not answered my questions honestly. I always said they were quite willing to discuss the issue at will.
Although it was a little difficult for me, there came a time when I felt more comfortable.
In fact, when I lost my virginity I felt I had to honor my father's honesty by telling. (My mom and I had discussed it before it happened). He said, "Ok. 'And are you using any contraception?". I said yes. "Great," he said. "I really do not need to know more. Thanks for telling me." I think he was proud that he had told the news but just could not deal with that then.
And even though my dad used to have a behavior whereby behaved rather stubborn, I have always been grateful that my parents have been so clear to me that sex was a part of life, normal and wonderful, and not was nothing that had to feel ashamed.
As a mother, I think a lot of that now.
Our daughter is in high school and our oldest son is in school. As my parents, trying to do everything possible to ensure that we are communicating with them in a frank and clear that they do listen to what we have to say.
Although it may be difficult. They have access to information about sex in ways that we never had. We are competing with many different sources: twitter, text, internet and television, and all affect the way they think and act.
That's why Let's Talk Month in October, an annual awareness effort that emphasizes the importance of conversations about sex and relationships between parents and their teens, is extremely important.
It's a great opportunity for parents of young start (or better yet, continue) with a meaningful conversation about sexuality and relationships.
A new study of Paternity, organizations Family Circle Magazine and the Center for Latino Adolescent and Family Health, University of New York, shows that parents are increasingly comfortable talking to their children about what teens they are talking to their parents, and me!
But even if it is difficult to start, so it's worth talking to the kids, answering their questions about sex and has help make smart decisions about their relationships and behavior. And the more you speak it becomes easier.
In my home we started talking with our children when they were young. When he began his curiosity about their bodies and why the differences between boys and girls, natural opportunities arose to start a dialogue.
Always emphasize that their bodies were private and proprietary. And while each family has their own opinions about it, from our earliest discussions of sexuality felt it was important to emphasize both my daughter and my son that birth control is a must, not an option.
School programs according to their age help reinforce the conversations we are having at home and help to increase a level of comfort when talking to their parents.
The sex education class for my daughter to school early was really incredible. Each student is asked to anonymously write a question on a piece of paper and put it in a hat during each meeting.
Nothing was off limits. There were questions like, "Can you get pregnant if you have sex when you're having your period?".
That kind of anonymity when you put a question to a teenager really wants to do, but it just is too embarrassed to preguntársela directly to a teacher or parent-is very important for a young person. And that kind led to many conversations and made our daughter feel more comfortable talking about these issues with us at home.
It is never too early or too late to start having these conversations.
[readon1 url=”htt://mexico.cnn.com/opinion/2012/10/19/opinio-como-empezar-a-hablar-de-sexo-con-nuestroshijos"]Source:mexico.cnn.com - Translation by Suyapa Ajuria[/readon1]
How to resolve AdBlock issue?