I have a philosophy that parents appreciate it when their youth give them tips about how to be effective parents. I sometimes provide handouts for youth to take home to parents after a session on a lifestyle topic. Many youth and parents have told me how much they appreciate this help.

This is a handout used after a session on sexuality.

How Can a Loving Parent Help?
1.  I will go through lots of pressure to have sex, to drink, to smoke, and to do drugs.  Help me put together a "game plan" to help me manage the pressure and come through this a winner.  Please believe in me, and be with me every step of the way.
2.  Make a commitment to me that any sexual feeling, issue, or thought that I have can always be discussed calmly between us.  That doesn't mean that we'll always agree, but it does mean that we love each other and we're in this together.
3.  Keep reminding me of these things:
 •  When he/she says that he/she loves me, he/she should love me enough to spare me the pain of a possible sexually transmitted disease or pregnancy.
 •  Many people expect sex as part of the dating "package."  They need to know that I don't.  Help me remember to say, "I'm interested in getting to know you, not in having sex with you."  I am guaranteed to discover a lot about that person almost instantly!
 •  Sex is not a sporting event or a party game, no matter what I may see on television.  It's a profound expression of committed love. I deserve no less from my lover.  Is this what I'll be getting if I have sex now?
 •  Someday I may want to get married and have children.  Millions of people take diseases or bad emotional experiences from their teen years into bed with their mates later on. The choice I make today will affect my life tomorrow.
4.  Promise me that anytime I feel uncomfortable or scared - wherever I am, whatever I'm doing, whatever time it is - if I call you, you'll come and get me.