They’re Listening to You: Why Parents Matter in Sex Ed

In this episode, we unzip one of the most important—and often most avoided—roles we can play as parents and caregivers: being a trusted source of sex education. Instead of relying on awkward, one-time “talks,” we explore what it means to create an ongoing, open dialogue with kids and teens. School-based sex ed is often inconsistent or incomplete, which leaves a gap—and an opportunity—for us to step in with accurate, values-informed conversations. From understanding what’s actually being taught (and what isn’t), to using tools like the National Sex Education Standards, we walk through how to approach these moments with curiosity rather than fear or perfectionism. Not having all the answers isn’t a failure—it can be an invitation to learn with your kids. Practical strategies matter here, too. We cover ways to build trust with teens, create “safe exit” plans for uncomfortable situations, and navigate device use, privacy, and the evolving landscape of sexual health information. Remember, modeling openness and challenging shame-based narratives can shift the entire tone of these conversations. Because even if it feels uncomfortable, most kids do want to talk to us about this—they just need to know it’s safe. You can find the National Sex Education Standards here, just know that it will download as a .pdf If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here: ⁠Show suggestions If you want to ask Dr Sue a sex question for the weekly Q&A you can submit it here: Ask a question