91 - Candid Chats Lauren Navigating Tween/Teen sexuality as a parent

This week on the Marina Perry Podcast, Marina is joined by Lauren Violet to discuss navigating the unique nuance of children entering the teen/tween phase and relating to their blossoming relationship to sexuality. Sex and sexuality is the part of society that holds the most shame and the most conditioning. When it’s misused or abused, it’s harmful because that energy is so powerful. But when it’s embraced and embodied, it can literally create— whether it’s life, connection, growth, or healing. So the question is, how do we navigate that as parents?

 

As children get older, the exploration of their bodies switches from curiosity to sexual in nature, and being uncomfortable in these conversations with your kids is very natural. But it’s important to be a part of the conversation as parents because it’s a part of life. Whether we talk about our sexual journey or not, it’s still going to impact our kids. Lauren advises listeners not to be afraid of being open about that discomfort and acknowledging that you don’t have all the answers. 

 

Children are forever evolving into adulthood. If you want your child to be a healthy, functional, sexually active adult, you need have these conversations with them as they evolve because that’s where they learn healthy communication. We all have an inner child that should be welcome within that space as well, so if you can recognize and hold your own transition into sexuality, you can better recognize and hold your child’s. 

 

Many of our parents didn’t handle our transition well and some of us felt the impact of that well into adulthood. Others even bring that experience into the next generation. The most important aspect is that we’re practicing sex in a happy, healthy, and safe way, but what that looks like to each of us might differ. Having differing views can create struggle, but it’s okay to experience that struggle. Letting go of control is at the core of the solution. Sex and sexuality is explorative and an avenue of learning, and it takes personally navigating the journey to understand it.

 

Listen now and learn more from Lauren!

 

What You Will Learn:

 

1. An inside look at the sexual transition from child to adult
2. Tips for navigating the transition from a parent’s perspective 
3. Why being present for these uncomfortable conversations is important