How to have shame-free conversations with your kids

(NC) Nobody said being a parent would be easy, but some challenges can feel especially daunting. One is the prospect of talking to your kids about the experiences they’re having growing up.

For example, conversations with kids about their bodies can be challenging. Kids encounter a lot of information from their friends, school and online—and a lot of it isn’t body-positive, especially for girls. Even something natural like their periods can be fraught with stigma, shame, teasing and bullying, making it an important topic to cover with kids of all genders. Here are some things to keep in mind to get the conversation going:

Create a shame-free space. Most kids are very self-conscious, especially when it comes to stigmatized subjects. Framing the conversation around comfort and openness can make a big difference. Talk somewhere familiar and where they’ll feel safe and confident. Make sure they know it’s okay to ask questions and that you won’t get mad or think less of them for anything they say.

Meet them where they’re at. A good place to start is getting a sense of what kids know and think. This helps you understand their current knowledge, while also giving them some stake and agency by having them open the conversation.

Build your own confidence. It’s okay not to know everything, but having a solid knowledge base about the issues you discuss goes a long way. Depending on the topic, you can often find free resources online. For example, The Period Purse offers free educational courses about periods, and advice on how to talk to kids about them in a positive, shame-free way.

Having conversations like these can be challenging but also rewarding. It’s an experience that you and your child can both learn and grow from. You can learn more about starting shame-free conversations at theperiodpurse.com.