Book Review: Talk to Me First: Everything You Need to Know to Become Your Kids’ “Go-To” Person About Sex

Talk to Me First Book Cover

Deborah Roffman, an experienced and respected sexuality educator, has crafted three books for parents interested in nurturing healthy sexuality in their children, with Talk to Me First being the most recent (2012). Roffman builds her text around five guiding principles — affirmation, information, clarity about values, setting limits, and anticipatory guidance — that nurturing parents can use to guide the sexuality education of their children. Dense with sample scenarios and references, the book could readily be used as a text and workbook for a parenting group. Click here to purchase Talk To Me First.

Book Review: Beyond Birds & Bees: Bringing Home a New Message to Our Kids About Sex, Love, and Equality

Beyond Birds & Bees Book Cover

Beyond Birds & Bees, a rare and special mixture of memoir and cross-cultural inquiry, provides a fresh perspective on comprehensive sexuality education as a catalyst for expanding social justice, eradicating body-based shame, and enhancing relationships between parents and children, through adolescence and beyond. Bonnie J. Rough‘s sense of humor, honesty, and humility shine through, simultaneously engaging and challenging readers to evaluate their own sexual values and explore their roles in helping future generations to achieve optimal sexual health and equitable sexual relationships. The book can be purchased here.

Book Review: Project Parent: Preparing Yourself for Your Child’s Sex Education

Project Parent Book Cover

This 2017 release is a unique addition to the comprehensive sexuality education literature. Dr. Jovanovic succinctly tailors the book Values Clarification for parents who want and/or need to define and understand their own sexual values before diving into sexuality education for their children. The text provides exercises that parents can complete alone and/or with a co-parent and detailed lists of additional resources. The book can be purchased here.