Mums who can glide effortlessly into the birds and bees discussion without a single stutter have our praise because, we’re not afraid to say it, it isn’t always easy!
No matter how laidback you think you are in this department, when it comes to crunch-time and discussion turns to the more delicate, you can be pretty sure most of us are reaching for our parachutes.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, many mums and dad use the 14th to initiate that oh-so-important discussion and while vital, it’s also rife with pitfalls.
Here are just ten we experienced and ones you’re likely to encounter if you’re brave enough to broach this weekend!
1. Talking from experience is not going to go well.
Your teens don't need to hear about your sex life. No one does.
2. Using what you consider trendy lingo is going to result in a teen-shaped hole in the living room door.
We'd be out of there too, frankly.
3. Winking and nudging is expressly forbidden.
What are you? A stand-up comedian from the 1970's?
4. Whispering certain words, like 'condoms' or 'intercourse' for example, is going to make everyone awkward.
What are you doing? Nothing is needed to make this exchange any more uncomfortable.
5. Appearing indignant that your son or daughter already knows the in's and out's is going to make you look a little odd.
Remember what century they're growing up in, OK?
6. Attempting to use the word 'prophylactic' but being unable to pronounce it is not going to instil much confidence in you.
Let's stick to condom here, shall we?
7. Frantically forbidding your teens from having sex until they're married with babies of their own doesn't make any sense.
We learned that one the hard way.
8. Attempting to terrify your teen into life-long abstinence is not the aim of this discussion.
Try to bear that in mind.
9. No props. No props. No props.
This isn't a magic show.
10. "Any questions?" should be a genuine offer and if you're not genuine then don't suggest they ask you anything,
Nobody likes to see their mum looking like a deer-in-the-headlights. It's stressful.
