{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"When Should You Talk to Your Kids About Sex? (Earlier Than You Think) with John Fort","description":"Don\u2019t Stress Talking Sex: Starting Honest, Healthy Conversations with Your Kids Most of us dread \u201cthe talk.\u201d John Fort didn\u2019t want to have it either. But after his own childhood exposure to pornography, with parents who never addressed it, he knew his kids wouldn\u2019t stand a chance if he stayed silent. Decades of ministry later, Focus on the Family asked him to write the book. In this episode, John and Terrie talk about why these conversations are part of discipling our kids, how early to start, and what to do when your child has already been exposed. He also covers how your own messy past can become your most powerful teaching tool. In this episode: When to start: \u201cTwo years before you think you should.\u201d John walks through Scripture\u2019s example of reading the whole law, including its sexual content, to \u201call the little ones,\u201d and gives age guidelines. Body parts and respect come at ages 3\u20136, how sex works at 8\u20139, and the reproductive system at 10\u201311. Preparing kids for exposure: By age 8, kids need to know they will encounter sexual content, what to do when it happens, and that they won\u2019t be in trouble for telling you. Arousal, temptation, and sin: A simple framework that helped John\u2019s son understand that a bodily reaction isn\u2019t sin, and that this understanding makes walking away easier. Processing exposure without lecturing: What did you see? How did it happen? How did it make you feel? How can we prevent it? Then pray together. When your child has sought out pornography: Start with \u201cI\u2019m so glad you told me,\u201d and share your own story first. Parents with a past: The number one reason Christian parents avoid this conversation is fear their kids will learn about their past. John explains why your story is the bridge. Neurodivergent kids: Why online content can feel safer than real social interaction, and how to build positive social experiences. Kids with intellectual disabilities: Lower impulse control means greater protection is needed. Timestamps 00:12 Welcome 01:11 Meet John Fort and the backstory behind the book 04:53 When should you start talking about sex? 06:52 Respecting our bodies and moving beyond purity culture 10:36 Preparing kids for exposure 12:17 Arousal vs. temptation vs. sin 14:43 How to help kids process exposure 15:39 When your child has sought out pornography 20:03 What if you messed up when you were young? 22:32 Neurodivergent kids and online compulsions 27:18 Kids with intellectual disabilities 28:24 John\u2019s books 29:35 Closing thought: these conversations draw you closer 30:13 New homeschool teen writing class Resources mentioned Don\u2019t Stress Talking Sex by John W. Fort: [Amazon link] John\u2019s other books, including his identity book and the Elias Turner series: [Amazon author page] Homeschool teen writing and publishing class: three semesters on Zoom, from first idea to published book, limited to 10 students per class. [Link] We\u2019d love to hear from you. Leave a comment or question below. Sparking Everyday Discipleship is sponsored by Hypurpley Publishing, bridging the gap between Sunday school lessons and Monday morning life. ","author_name":"Sparking Everyday Discipleship","author_url":"http:\/\/booksthatspark.libsyn.com\/website","html":"