How to Prevent Teenage Parenthood Using Communication

How our children turn out as teens is determined by how they are parented as children, and as preteens. Communication is a very important part of parenting children of all age groups for many reasons, and in many ways. When talking about the subject of teenage parenthood I must stress that communication is the main key in the prevention of it.

Regarding teenage parenthood, communication should begin before teens are teens. A sex talk is not what we are aiming for. Sex talks may decrease the likely hood of teenage pregnancy, yes, but there are other things that need to be taught to children before they are ready for the sex talks. Younger children can learn these values as well, and in fact should. These lessons do not have to wait until the preteen years to be taught. These lessons affect and reduce the chances of teenage pregnancy, yes, but really have nothing to do with sex specifically, but rather stress a healthy lifestyle and making good choices.

The first lesson up to bat that needs to be taught is respect. Even young children can and should learn this. Respect is a very important part of life. Both giving respect and being respected are important. When we talk to our kids about respecting themselves we need to stress that they need to make good choices for themselves, to keep themselves safe and healthy. Later on in life, when the time for sex talks comes, your children will remember this lesson about respecting themselves and others to remain safe and healthy. With STD's being so widespread, and the potential for a life changing pregnancy occurring, this is very important. The best way to teach respect other than by means of communication is to live a respectful, respectable lifestyle.

The next lesson is that of honesty. Yes, even little ones need to learn this one too. When we communicate and express an importance of being honest to our children they will always be honest and communicate with us, their parents. This is important in so many ways for so many reasons all throughout childhood and especially in the teen years. When a teen is open and honest regarding anything with their parents they enable their parents to know what is going on in their lives. This lets parents help their teens to make good choices. The earlier a healthy, honest communication pattern is set with your children the better you will be able to help them through the challenges in their lives, and the more that can be prevented in the years to come.

The last of the three most important lessons you can teach your children in order to prevent teenage parenthood is to make good choices. This helps to reduce the risk of peer pressure making your child give in and make poor choices. Children need to learn to make good choices early on in life. Good choices that keep them safe and healthy. Choices that help them not hurt them. Teach your children that it doesn't matter what other people say or do. It only matters what they choose to say and do. When you teach children to be strong and make their own good choices they will not play follow the leader when all of the other kids are doing it. They will be independent and responsible for themselves because you taught them to be. This alone can greatly reduce the chances of teenage parenthood.

All of these lessons should be both communicated and lived. Things like this bring the best results in the teen years when they are taught in the elementary years. Kids can learn anything they are taught. If you, their parent, are the one to teach them what they need to know then you will know that they do know what they need to know to keep themselves safe and healthy.