Hey there. We’re Bird and Bee. It’s nice to meet you.
And that introduction right there is the whole reason we’re here. We want tweens to meet us through our site before they meet us in person. After all, our goal is to be a fun, interactive and engaging place for tweens to be educated about safe sex and STD’s. But we’re not here to do it alone. We need help from parents everywhere. And that’s why we especially want to be a resource to help parents and their kids have meaningful conversations about, well, us.
Books, websites and newsletters that are medically accurate, age appropriate and inclusive.
Medically accurate books and resources (list of books)
Advocates for Youth, Parent-Child Communication: Promoting Healthy Sexuality
A short paper that summarizes the findings of many different national surveys and scholarly studies related to parent-child communication about sexuality. This resource takes all that information and distills it into a few short paragraphs that address how those findings apply to real-life parents. Available in English, Amharic, French, Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
This short PDF has valuable quick tips on talking to children about sexuality and sex written by other parents! The topics include how to answer questions from your child, helping your child deal with puberty and body changes, talking to children about healthy relationships and setting boundaries, and how to encourage your child to avoid high-risk behaviors.
Una Guía Escrita Por Padres y Madres Para Ayudar a Otros Padres y Madres a Hablar Con Sus Hijos(as) Sobre la Sexualidad
Advocates for Youth, Are You an Askable Parent?
Short and sweet, this resource gives quick tips on talking to adolescents and young children about sex and sexuality, geared toward helping parents become more “askable,” i.e., someone that their children see as a trustworthy and nonjudgmental place to talk and ask questions about sex and sexuality. Available in English, Amharic, French, Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Advocates for Youth, Parents Sex Ed Center
This is a web portal that contains links to lots of short articles about all kinds of topics related to participating in the sex education of your children, such as advocating for good sex education in schools and incorporating discussions about ability and disability into discussions of sex and sexuality.
AMAZE is a collaboration between experts in the field of sex education—Advocates for Youth, Answer and Youth Tech Health—to create an engaging, age-appropriate, online sex education resource for 10-to 14-year-olds. The AMAZE videos provide the answers young people want and need in an age-appropriate and relatable format. In the internet age, there is plenty of information at young people’s fingertips—some good and some downright horrifying. That’s why AMAZE provides early access to appropriate and accurate information.
Recognizing the critical role parents and educators play in educating young people about their changing bodies, sex and healthy relationships, AMAZE also provides resources for parents and educators to use in talking with the young people in their lives. The AMAZE videos are fun, approachable and facilitate communication between young people and parents, guardians and educators.
Family Communication “Let’s Talk” Toolkit
This valuable resource includes extensive age-appropriate sexuality information on what to talk about and when. There are tips for parents on how to be approachable, and info on healthy relationships and consent as well as cyber bullying and online safety. Additionally, a vital topics section includes sexuality and faith, sexual orientation and gender identity, and tips for providing sex education for youth with an intellectual disability.
This is a great resource for learning more about how to create an environment that is inclusive and welcoming for people of all gender identities, in your own family or your own educational environment. It includes information about how people identify and what those identities mean, and advice on how to make people feel safe and comfortable regardless of gender.
HealthyChildren.org “Ages and Stages”
HealthyChildren.org is a young people’s health guide for parents and guardians put together by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The “Ages and Stages” section of the site focuses on growth and development, including sexuality, dating, and sex. This is a great place to find age-appropriate information and facts about the development of children.
Let’s Change the Talk: Encouraging Families to Communicate Effectively about Sex & Relationships
Many parents struggle with talking to their children about sex-related topics. We know you want to help your children understand tough topics such as sexual health and relationships, yet these anticipated conversations may leave you uncertain and anxious about what to say and how to say it. This site provides parents/caregivers with the empirically-based PSAs, proof that your kids want you to talk to them, and other resources. Nebraska youth featured in videos. Lead researcher – Dr. Amanda Holman, Creighton University
The Native Youth Sexual Health Network
The NYSHN is an organization by and for Indigenous youth working on issues related to reproductive and sexual health and justice. They are primarily involved in advocacy, outreach, and community mobilization. Their resources include a Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ Mentors, Elders, and Grandparents Support Circle, culturally relevant and appropriate campaigns to increase contraceptive use and to fight homophobia and transphobia, and a First Nations Sexual Health Toolkit.
Planned Parenthood, Talking to Kids about Sex and Sexuality
This resource includes short videos and written answers to common questions about talking to kids about sex and sexuality.
Planned Parenthood, The Parent Buzz Newsletter
Part of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts’ parent education program, the Parent Buzz is a bi-monthly newsletter designed especially for parents/guardians and other caregivers of youth. Each issue features tips for talking with kids about sex and sexuality, as well as information on issues dealing with developmentally appropriate sexuality topics, adolescent sexual behavior, useful web, phone, and book resources, and suggest answers to typical questions youth may ask. Available in Spanish.
Sex, Etc. by Answer at Rutgers University
Sexetc.org has comprehensive sex ed information including stories written by teen staff writers and national contributors and opportunities to get involved and make a difference on sexual health issues. The Sex, Etc. blog addresses timely and relevant news, and there are forums where teens can participate in moderated discussions with other teens. The site also includes videos about sexual health, a Sex Terms glossary of almost 400 terms., and “Sex in the States,” a state-by-state guide to teens’ rights to sex education, birth control and more.
