Welcome to our blog post, specially tailored to provide sex education information for your eighteen year old! We understand that navigating the vast amount of information on sex education can be overwhelming, especially when it may not be relevant to your child’s current age and stage of development.
But don’t worry! This age-specific guide is here to help you find the information that is most appropriate for your child right now. We’ve curated a collection of blog posts and resources that focus on starting sex education with eighteen year olds, so you can rest assured that the content is suitable for their needs.
Every young adult is unique, but they all go through general stages of development. The resources you’ll find here will empower you to support your child as they navigate this exciting chapter in life while aligning with your values.
By the age of 18, many teenagers experience a mix of excitement and fear about the future. They tend to be highly focused on their friends, social lives, and what lies ahead. Decisions about the next stage of their life often occupy their thoughts as they contemplate the kind of life they want once they’re on their own. At the same time, they also cherish living in the present moment.
Parenting an 18 year old can be a delicate balancing act between guiding them towards autonomy and ensuring they feel safe and supported. Teens who have acquired plenty of life skills often feel ready to move out of the family home and embark on the next chapter. However, others may feel less prepared for adulthood, experiencing moments of self-doubt or a temporary regression as they contemplate their future. Rest assured, we’re here to provide you with the information you need about your 18 year old.
Let’s dive in and embark on this exciting journey together!
Unsure of what sex education is all about?
Watch Back to Basics my FREE webinar that will tell you what sex ed is, why you need to do it, what might stop you from talking, what to talk about and how to get started.
A 12 minute read on what sex education is all about.
Watch this Parent Masterclass to learn what to expect and how to develop key skills in sex education.
Got some last-minute doubts about sex education?
Read this blogpost as it will address your fears about sex education.
Read this blogpost as it explains the benefits of sex education, and how these conversations will empower and protect your child (instead of harm them).
And if youāre worried that youāve left it too late to start? Then relax, as you havenāt. As now is better than never. But you are going to have to work harder, as you will need to reestablish their trust and get them used to you suddenly wanting to talk about love, sex and relationships.
Missed out on sex education yourself? Or already forgotten what you were taught at school?
Watch this Parent Masterclass as itās the Adult Edition of Sex Ed and itāll update you as to what you need to know about safe sex, STIs, contraception, dating and more!
Unsure of what sexual behaviour to expect in your teen? And whatās normal?
Read this blogpost about healthy sexual development in children and the different behaviours you might see in your 18 year old.
Watch this Parent Masterclass to learn how to understand and support healthy sexual development in your teen.
Unsure of what sexual values and beliefs to share with your 18 year old?
Read this blogpost to learn how to talk to teens about sexual values and beliefs.
Use this WorkBook to help you decide which sexual values are relevant and what you could share with your teen now.
Unsure of how to start sex-ed conversations? Or the different ways to have a conversation?
Here are all the blogposts that explain the different sex education strategies for starting conversations with your teen.
Unsure of what to talk about with your 18 year old?
Read this blogpost as it explains some of the different topics you can talk about with your teen.
Read this blogpost to find simple ways to talk to your teen aboutĀ consent. Grappling with consent? Learn how to educate your child about giving ā and asking for ā consent in this popularĀ crash course about consent.
Unsure of how to talk about masturbation?
Watch this Parent Masterclass to learn how to talk to your teen about masturbation. It will help you to talk about pleasure and how to handle requests for sex toys.
Unsure of how to respond when your teen is curious about diversity in genitals?
Curiosity about the differences between penises and vulvas is common (as they worry that theirs arenāt ānormalā), so hereās my resource list about diversity in genitals.
Need to talk about online porn?
Grab my Parent Masterclass on what to do when your teen has seen porn as it will walk you through what to do.
Start talking to your child about online porn in an age-appropriate way that helps them to make smart decisions with the Porn Talk Course.
Keep your devices safe for your child by doing a step-by-step check on every device in your house with this Tech Check Workbook.
Look at my Pornography 101 page to learn more about how to protect your teen from online porn, including information about parental controls and sexting.
Got a teen who is uninterested in talking with you about love, sex and relationships?
Read this blogpost as it will give you some tips on what to do when theyāre not interested, plus it will inspire you to not give up!
Worried about something your teen is doing?
Look at this page as it has over 30 of the most common concerns parents have about their kids that are relevant to sex education.
Watch this Parent Masterclass on what to do when you are worried about sexual behaviour in your teen.
Unsure of what books to read? Or videos to watch?
Read this blogpost to find sex education books that are suitable for 18 year olds.
My favourite ten best sex education books that includes books for older teens!
Sex education parenting books to help with starting these conversations.
My sex education video resources page.
Wishing you had a community of like-minded parents who wonāt think you are weird for wanting to do sex education?
Join that parent group. My free Facebook group where parents help each other with sex education!
Content I have found that is created specifically for older teens (but also great for informing yourself).
What’s OK? – A free American site that is both a website and a helpline that offers free confidential support and resources to youth and young adults (ages 14-21) with concerns about their own or a friendās sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. This is a site that gives them answers to questions they would usually be too ashamed to ask. These are some of their most common questions and I think all teens should know it exists:
- Is this normal sexual behavior? Is it safe?
- Is what Iām attracted to ānormalā?
- What do I do if my sexual behaviors have harmed someone?
- What do I do if Iām worried about someone elseās sexual interests or behaviors?
- What kind of help is available if Iām struggling with safe sexual behaviors or worried about my attractions?
- Where can I find help if Iāve been sexually abused?
- How can I stay safe in online relationships?
- How do I ask for help?
Info for Young People ā A list of Australian resources that have been curated by Vanessa Hamilton from Talking The Talk Healthy Sexuality Education.
The Line – An Australian site that helps young people (14+) have healthy, happy and respectful relationships, and avoid behaviours that hurt, intimidate or diminish others. They have content for parents and it is essential reading for all parents of teens!
BISH ā An English website that has fantastic information for teens aged 14+.
In the Know ā A New Zealand resource for 13+ teens that educates them about online porn.
Scarleteen ā An American website that has information for older teens about sexuality.
Anyway, that should get you started with teaching your child about sex in a non-awkward, shame-free and natural way! And this is where you can find the other age-by-age sex education guides.
