School aged children and young people's health and wellbeing information sheet
Relationships and sexual health
Talking to your child about relationships and their sexual health as they grow up is important to help them develop healthy nurturing relationships of all kinds, not just intimate relationships. We know that young people want their parents to talk to them about relationships and sexual health even if a little embarrassing.
Talk about relationships and sexual health honestly and positively even when it is difficult or uncomfortable. It can help them understand what a healthy relationship looks like, what is acceptable behaviour and what's not, as well as learning about contraception (preventing pregnancy until it's planned) and good sexual health at the appropriate age. Children may learn incorrect, confusing and sometimes frightening things early on from friends and the media. Talking with your child gives you a chance to help them avoid this confusion and make better sense of it all. Young people who receive good sex education are less likely to have an unplanned pregnancy or get a sexually transmitted infection.
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