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"Mommy, where do babies come from? How did that baby get out?" Anyone who has ever feared, ignored, or avoided these types of questions cannot afford to miss Mary Flo Ridley's talk, "Shaping Your Child's Sexual Character." Mary Flo equips parents to celebrate their child's normal curiosity and teaches them how to respond confidently and factually with an answer their child can understand.
In her talk, Mary Flo acknowledges and identifies with parents' fears in answering their child's early questions about sex. She candidly discusses her own initial discomfort with the subject, and relates humorous stories of her children as illustrations. Recognizing that this may be a new approach for some, Mary Flo encourages parents to teach their children from this point forward. She suggests a lifelong conversation about sex, instead of a punctuated "talk" at puberty. After one presentation, a mother shared, "My parents did not talk to me about sex and now, thanks to you, I know how to talk to my children." Mary Flo asks parents to think about what they want their child to know about sex. With the constant influx of sexual messages from our culture, she emphasizes the importance of parents being the loving authority on the subject, so that children feel safe and comfortable coming to you with questions, recognizing that you have the answers. Mary Flo walks parents through a practical strategy to give children honest, factual and age appropriate information. It is inevitable that children will receive sexual messages through television, billboards, older siblings and classmates. If they have not been taught at home, they will have no foundation to test the accuracy of this information. Parents leave this seminar empowered to talk to their children.
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Comments about Sooner Than You Think
As a single parent of children (ages 7 and 9) all the material is beneficial. I am proactive, however, I feel more empowered. Thank you!
-- Parent
Mary Flo told us how to initiate conversation and broke the barriers for parents to talk about sexuality.
-- Parent
Absolutely fabulous. Loved the timeline as a way of warning about bad choices that can limit their futures.
-- Parent
This talk was easy to follow and had appropriate illustrations. There was just enough information without being overloaded.
-- Parent
Mrs. Ridley, I heard you speak over 6 years ago when I had a 6 month old baby. To this day, three children later, I still remember specific things you said in that talk. AND, my 6 1/2 year old has asked so many questions that I was grateful to be prepared to answer with advice you provided.
-- Parent
Learning how to approach my three daughters and the right words to use was most helpful. I would love to hear from Mary Flo much more. She is so helpful!
-- Parent, Big Lake, TX
This information was insightful, with lots of good humor thrown in.
-- Parent
I will definitely recommend this talk and share what I learned today with all of my friends.
-- Parent
Parents should become the 'loving authority' on sex. 'By design' is an important word. This is what I want my child to know about. I appreciate understanding this concept.
-- Parent
My parents did not talk to me about sex and now, thanks to you, I know how to talk to my children.
-- Parent
I really enjoyed the no nonsense, direct and to the point approach. I felt informed and prepared, not overwhelmed.
-- Parent
Great ideas, I wish I had heard much earlier. I now have the material to share with our parents at school.
-- Parent
Awesome! I want to share this with all of my friends who have kids!
-- Parent
Giving the foundational strategy to help talk about sex (steps!) is very helpful.
-- Parent
I'm a divorced father with joint custody of two girls ages 5 and 7. Learning to handle the tough questions by myself will help greatly.
-- Parent
The exact steps were given in such a way that I will be able to, as a school counselor, help parents when this topic comes up.
-- Parent
I have two very small children and I didn't really know how to talk to my kids. Knowing that I need to decide my 'mission statement' helped a lot.
-- Parent
It was so helpful that she was frank and gave great straight forward information.
-- Parent
This program explained how to get started - no age is too young or too old.
-- Parent
This was so enlightening; I wish that my parents had had this information when I was a child! Thank you so much!
-- Parent
This talk was great! It is a tough subject to talk about but I am excited to do it the right way!
-- Parent
Mary Flo was perfect! I wasn't looking forward to this topic, but I thank God I didn't miss it!
-- Parent
This was a great experience. No one tells you how to be a parent, but thank you to the PTA and School for providing this meeting.
-- Parent
This talk helped me to realize that even at 7 years old I am behind in talking to my child and I need to get on the ball.
-- Parent
I didn't realize I should begin presenting this information so early, but I really want my children to feel comfortable sharing this discussion with me.
-- Parent
Tonight was so inspiring and helpful. Even though my boys are men, I feel empowered to re-open the topic and figure out a game plan for the grandchildren some day!
-- Parent
When my son was in kindergarten, I thought the best thing I could do for him was to postpone any talk about sex for as long possible. Then I listened to Mary Flo and what she recommended really made sense. She inspired me to talk openly to my son about sex at a very young age, so that I could be the one to shape his values and prevent him from learning any misinformation. I am so glad that I heard this philosophy from Mary Flo when my son was young. He is a teenager now, and due to her guidance all those years ago, we are able to discuss this topic without discomfort.
-- Parent
This was an excellent program! Your information has really made me feel more comfortable in discussing sex with my children!
-- Parent
Explaining the FACTS to your child without feeling like you are taking the child's innocence.
-- Parent
She has broken down this overwhelming task in a very intelligent and flexible way! A wonderful model from which to operate. Mary Flo is charming, funny, bright and warm. I wish she were my neighbor.
-- Parent
Thank you for helping me to understand that it's okay to talk to small children about sex and their bodies. I never was told about these things by my parents. I found out a lot on my own.
-- Parent
Awesome Program! Probably the best I've every heard. Don't change! It's great!
-- Parent
This program explained great ways to talk with children of different ages - from a loving perspective. All parents should hear this presentation!
-- Parent
I [now] feel empowered to talk with both of my sons (7&9) and daughter (7). Also, [Mary Flo] confirmed that what we've been doing isn't too far off track, but now I have more ideas about how to get on the track/message we want.
-- Parent
Everything about Mary Flo's talk was helpful. I wish I'd heard her about six years ago!
-- Parent, Midland, TX
I have an 11 year old and a 3 year old - both boys. Thank you for giving me the tools to talk with them, and to talk about this with my husband before "the talk" with our oldest. Plus, preparing differently with no fear for our youngest.
-- Parent
Leaning that it is much easier it is to talk to your kids about sex over time instead of instead of one time only was very helpful to me. Thanks!
-- Parent, Iraan, TX
Not having kids myself, I am now well educated about how I might discuss sex with them. Mary Flo makes this embarrassing topic feel comfortable.
-- Future Parent
I learned that it's better to talk to your children at a younger age then when their older because parents are the number one influence on their kids.
-- Parent
Helped me to realize I can be more open with my kids.
-- Parent, Big Lake, TX
Learning about the 'sex talk' as a broken down, step by step dialogue. Now it seems like something I can do.
-- Parent
I had not even thought about any of this and really needed a plan. Thanks.
-- Parent
I did not expect to be having this talk with my 7 and 9 year olds yet, but now I will.
-- Parent
Mary Flo was captivating. I appreciated all the details and that she was not vague about such an important topic.
-- Parent
Thank you for telling me that it is okay to speak to my son about sex.
-- Parent
I now feel ready and confident to talk to my seven year old son. In the past I have ignored or dodged his questions when he was ready to talk. I feel now that I know what to say. He sees me as "Super Mom" right now, so now is the perfect time.
-- Parent, Iraan, TX
Giving real age appropriate examples and ideas of things to say to your children was very helpful.
-- Parent
Now I have a starting point! My girl is only 19 months, but I didn't even know how to begin this- thanks for the framework!
-- Parent
I'm a 69 year old grandmother. I wish I had heard this message when my children were young.
-- Grandparent
It was helpful to get a simple, straight-forward way to speak to my girls, ages 4 and 7, about sex. It seems so simple, but it is the most intimidating thing since potty training.
-- Parent
[Mary Flo's] interjection of humor is a great touch. Excellent presentation of very valuable information with wonderful insight.
-- Parent
Giving examples of how you handled and answered the questions asked to you was a great help. Thank you for being so open.
-- Parent
Thank you for the encouragement to go on the offensive, not just play the defensive, and to start early!
-- Parent
It was interesting to learn that we need to begin with our babies and actually have the conversation grow as they grow. Thank you so very much for making the trip here.
-- Parent
The material was so helpful. I feel empowered to talk to my children about sex.
-- Parent
I had not even thought about any of this and really needed a plan. Thanks.
-- Parent
This message equips us to be the 'experts' and resources for parents.
-- Parent
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