Depending on the way you were raised and on your parenting style, talking about sex with your child can be a very uncomfortable situation.  However, the more you talk about it with your child, the more approachable the subject will be, and you will avoid having one big, daunting “sex talk” with your child when she reaches puberty.

First of all, show a healthy level of affection to your partner while your child is around.  If your child grows up thinking that her parents love each other and show that love by kissing and hugging, she will be better prepared to think about sex in a healthy way.

Second, take the opportunity to talk to your child about sex in age-appropriate ways, even when she is a toddler.  Unfortunately, all toddlers now need to know that they have private parts that they need to protect from other people; however, you can use that opportunity to gently introduce concepts of sex.

Third, make sure that you talk about the rudiments of sex with your child before her school does. Schools teach sex ed earlier and earlier in order to keep up with pop culture, so you may find yourself having the big “sex talk” while your child is at a shockingly early age.  However, if your child knows the rudiments of sex before she is faced with an opportunity to try them out for herself, she will be more likely to make a better-informed, healthy decision.

Finally, as your child goes through puberty, keep the doors of communication open so that she can avoid some of the major consequences of sex.  For example, if you know your child is becoming sexually active, encourage the use of condoms and birth control.  Ignoring the subject and making your child face sexuality without your help does not benefit her.