Teaching My Kids About STDs…

Okay, honestly…have you started to think about how you will address this serious topic with your kids?  I’ve literally been thinking about this kind of thing for YEARS…since I was a teen!  I saved myself for marriage, so I knew that *I* was not at risk *personally*, but I also sought out someone who had also “waited” because I realized that it just took ONE encounter to change EVERYTHING.

I was a research junkie.  I wanted to know what risks were out there because I liked to have a clever retort when my classmates teased me for being a prude.  Yep and darn proud of it!
When my kids are older and we’ve discussed intimacy, I will definitely be bringing up STDs and will be telling them that there is absolutely no safe way to get that close.  Doing the deed is not the only way to contract a whole host of gross STDs and NO form of birth control (besides actual abstinence) is going to be 100% fail-proof.  Even condoms are limited in what they will protect partners from, which I don’t think most people even think about or realize.

Yes, I would like for my kids to wait until marriage like I did.  However, I do realize that the world we live in does make this a difficult choice and that my kids will ultimately be responsible for their decisions.  I will be teaching safety (not JUST abstinence) and will make sure that they know that if they are scared or embarrassed, that there are places that do anonymous STD testing.  Rapid STD Testing even offers a FREE helpline for people wondering about their risks, that need help setting up an appointment, or need help understanding their results or seeking treatment.  All FREE for folks finding themselves in a potentially life-changing situation.  The testing center performs tests for all SORTS of conditions, so no one would know why you were there.  It is all done discreetly – no insurance bills to explain, no credit card statement blaring “STD SCREENING”.

Being intimate with someone is so much more than just physical pleasures.  It’s so emotional.  I cannot TELL you how many of my adult female friends have said, “WHAT?!  You waited?! But you have to try before you buy!!  How would you know how good it was unless you’d shopped around!!!?”  Guess what?  Almost evvvery single one of those ladies has confided in me that they are severely disappointed in their love life because their man falls short of their expectations.  Where’d they get those expectations, hmm?  My hubby and I have learned everything together and we don’t have anything else to compare our private lives to.  No regrets, no disappointments, total trust and honesty in the bedroom.  Woot!  I so want that for my own children one day!!

I am participating in the Let’s Talk about STDs Campaign for RapidSTDtesting.com. I received compensation to facilitate this post. However, the views and opinions are my own.