243: Talking to Your Kids About Sex with Melissa Kilbride

In this episode of the Better Sex Podcast, host Jessa Zimmerman speaks with Melissa Kilbride about the importance of open and honest conversations with children regarding sex, sexuality, and pornography. Melissa shares her background in social work and emphasizes the necessity of early and age-appropriate sex education to prevent sexual abuse, promote sexual health, and reduce shame. They discuss the impacts of societal and parental silence on sexual topics, providing practical advice for discussing these topics with children from a young age. The episode also touches on the challenges and considerations for parents monitoring their children's online activity and introduces Melissa's resources and workshops designed to support parents in fostering healthy, informed views on sexuality in their kids.

00:00 Introduction to Better Sex Podcast

00:50 Guest Introduction: Melissa Kilbride

00:58 The Importance of Talking to Kids About Sex

01:36 Melissa's Background and Passion

04:02 Challenges and Strategies for Parents

04:57 Breaking Down the Conversation by Age

11:29 The Role of Pleasure and Consent

22:31 Discussing Pornography with Kids

27:51 Parental Controls and Monitoring

30:54 Conclusion and Resources

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Melissa Kilbride is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. She is the owner of a group therapy practice in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, DC and has 20 years of experience in direct client contact. Melissa is an advocate for early sexual health education and, as both a clinician and a mother, believes passionately in the necessity of teaching young children about their bodies and sex as an issue of safety and a path to later healthy relationships. Melissa offers workshops and consultations to parents in support of these ideals to help them feel more “askable” and help them navigate sex talks and related challenges that may come up along the way. Melissa is also the co-author of Working with Worry: A workbook for parents on how to support anxious children.

More info and resources:

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Secret Podcast for the Lower Desire Partner: https://www.intimacywithease.com/ldppodcast

Special Collections of the podcast:

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