Going beyond the talk by Sanderijn van der Doef, Clare Bennett and Arris Lueks

Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue. This is the place where I help parents like you have easier and more effective sex education conversations with your kids. Today, I want to talk about a fantastic book called Going Beyond the Talk: Relationships and Sexuality. It’s specifically designed for those supporting twelve to eighteen-year-olds.

What makes this book so great is that it’s written by three experts: a psychologist, a nurse, and a teacher. Together, they bring a comprehensive approach to sex education. And here’s the best part—it’s a European book! I love books from that part of the world because they’ve been doing sex education for a long time and they really know their stuff.

Now, let’s be honest. When it comes to sex education, Europe, Australia, and the UK are the leaders. Unfortunately, the US is a bit behind due to different cultural factors like abstinence and religious influences. But that’s why we can learn so much from books like this one. The European approach is all about openness, honesty, and ongoing conversations. They’re all about getting rid of the shame and empowering parents. And guess what? Research shows that these conversations actually help kids make smarter decisions about their sexuality.

So, why do I recommend this book? Well, first of all, it’s not too thick, but it’s still packed with valuable information. Take a look at the index—I love how organized it is. Plus, it’s specifically tailored for older kids who are going through puberty. As they grow, the conversations we have with them need to change too. This book covers sexual values, provides lots of information, and even includes activities and ideas on how to talk to your kids. It’s filled with examples and stories that make it relatable and easy to understand. There are a few diagrams too, but overall, it’s just a really helpful resource for parents like you.

Now, I don’t usually recommend a lot of sex education books for parents. Most of them claim to be the only book you’ll ever need, but that’s just not true. That’s why you don’t see me reviewing many of them. But when I come across a book like this that I believe can truly guide and support parents, I can’t help but share it with you. It’s a fantastic starting point if you’re looking to buy some books to help you navigate the world of sex education and get some ideas on how to approach it all.

And remember, this book is a great complement to the information you’ll receive from my newsletter and the Sex Ed Rescue website. So, if you’re ready to dive into the world of sex education with confidence, I highly recommend checking out Going Beyond the Talk: Relationships and Sexuality.

I hope you found this review helpful. Cheers!