Parenting takes the most responsibility and is the greatest challenge a person will ever encounter. Certain subjects, such as sex, are not always easy to talk to your child about, but it is one of the most important. Positive Choices can help parents get through to their children about remaining abstinent. Positive Choices has been teaching abstinence education since the mid 1990s and realize that the most influential learning begins in the home.

Positive Choices offers support groups for only parents, or parents and children, that is focused on abstinence education. Positive Choices feels it’s important for parents to be involved in their children’s lives and is ready to help parents get involved and make a difference.

Positive Choices wants you to know that there is help when needed.

In the past, Positive Choices has held an activity called Dialogue Night (Family Game Night) which is a support group. This activity was held for parents and children ages 12-18 to give parents and children the ability to communicate about certain topics such as dating, infatuation, love, sex, drug use, friendships, STD's, responsibilities, boundaries and goals.

Positive Choices also gives presentations to educators, social workers, parents or caregivers wanting to learn how to teach abstinence education. These tools are for teaching about abstinence to decrease the rate of STD's and teen pregnancies.

Instructional Objectives include:

• Prevalence of STD's and HIV/AIDS in Lucas County
• Identify the emotional and physical consequences of teen sexual activity.
• Describe the cost of teen pregnancy on society, the family and the child.
• List resources and communication strategies to address teen sexual behavior.

If you are interested in scheduling a presentation for a parent, social worker, caregivers or educators, please call (419) 251-2304.

For further information try; Parents, Teens and Sex: The Big Talk Book by Bruce Cook. This book is used to supplement and deepen the lessons learned through the parent training program. Occasionally this book will also be made available to parents via Positive Choices informational tables. It is based on feedback from over 100 teens that have chosen abstinence and describes 10 specific steps parents can take to protect their teens’ health and future. This book includes current medical data and communication tips. This book will guide parents in fully understanding and explaining the emotional and physical health risks of premarital sex; sending clear messages about the rewards of abstinence; nurturing self-esteem and respect for boundaries; teaching their teens how to handle crushes, infatuation, and love; coaching teens on how to say “NO”, and yet maintain a friendship; fostering open communication and good family relationships.

Need more information right now? Visit:

Parents Helping Parents (http://parentshelpingparents.com/)
Choosing The Best (http://choosingthebest.com/index.html)
Kinship Navigator (http://areaofficeonaging.com/kinship.html)