Top Things Parents Should Be Talking to Teenagers About

When you think about talking with your teen about tough subjects, the idea is enough to make you squirm or hope that someone else does the job for you. But allowing your teen to learn about hot topics like sex, drugs, relationships and friends from anyone other than yourself is doing your teen a disservice. Instead, make sure you cover the big topics with a frank attitude and an open conversation. That way, your teen doesn't need to go elsewhere to learn more about the important stuff.

  1. Sex and Their Bodies

    • Your teen goes through a myriad of changes -- some of which can be embarrassing -- to their bodies. As a parent, you're there to field questions about puberty, body changes and sex. Letting your teen know that she's normal and healthy is a good first step, but you'll also need to prepare yourself for a frank discussion about sex, including the five Ws and the H -- who, what, why, where, when and how. When you sense your teen is ready, you may also need to discuss contraceptive methods.

    Social Relationships

    • Your teen is probably exploring various social relationships, from casual acquaintances to a serious girlfriend. Talk to your teen about health relationships and the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship. The NYU Child Study Center suggests talking to your teen about things like when to start dating, casual dating versus serious dating, and some of the downsides of having a serious relationship, like sexual pressure or infatuation. In the end, you want your teen to be able to identify healthy and unhealthy relationships.

    Internet Usage

    • It's inevitable: your teen will use the Internet. And with the Internet comes vast knowledge and resources, but also danger. Talk to your teen about the safe way to use the Internet and how to protect himself online. You can also talk about adult material available on the web, such as pornography, as well as online bullying, online predators and how to use social media responsibly. This is also a good time to set boundaries for Internet usage and punishment for abusing that privilege.

    Substance Abuse

    • More than 28 percent of 12th graders reported getting drunk in the last month to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. When it comes to drugs, 6.5 percent of 12th graders reported smoking marijuana every day. It's inevitable that your teen will come in contact with alcohol, cigarettes and drugs at some point. So talk to your teen about the consequences behind using substances and your values and standards as a family for substance usage.

    Future

    • Most teens want to know what they can expect from the future, notes the University of Minnesota Cooperative Extension. Whether it involves going to college, getting a job, getting married or something else, talk to your teen about your hopes and expectations for the future and more importantly, how to achieve her goals for what she wants out of life. Creating a path and showing confidence in her dreams helps give her a support system to fulfill her potential.

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