Frequently Asked Questions


How long do you have to wait to have a pregnancy test done?

As soon as your first day of a mised period.

What exactly should I say to my teen girl who asks about birth control?

Well first thank her for coming to you with the question. Many teens do not have the courage to ask their parents about birth control. Next ask her why she is thinking about this; of course she is thinking about sex, but she may not be thinking about having sex. She may have heard about it in school, she may have heard about it from friends or peers, she may just be curious, or she maybe thinking about the future. Listen to her, communication is a two way street, let her talk and you listen. Then if you feel comfortable about the subject matter, discuss the facts about birth control. Let her know that not all birth control options protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. If you are not comfortable give her the resources she needs and sit down with her to discuss the facts.

How can I stop my child from having sex?

Guess what you really can't. Now days, teens are having sex at all times of the day, mornings, in school, after-school, anytime. But you can instill values in your child to help them make good choices in their future.

How do I bring up this subject with my son without him running from the “talk”?

Don't make it the "talk"; make it more of teachable moments. Sit down with your child while watching television and use those television shows as moments to talk about sexuality. Sex is not just about a penis and vagina; it deals with relationships, how a person expresses themselves sexually, how they dress and flirt. It's also about sexual identity and orientation. These are issues teens are facing everyday and these are the other things you can talk about with your teens also. Prepare yourself too. Do some research and feel comfortable and knowledgeable discussing these issues with your son.

How do I find out what information is being taught in my child’s school?

The best way is to ask his or her health teacher, science teacher, physical education teacher, and principal, anyone who is teaching your child. Each state and each school district may be teaching different sexuality education programs- abstinence-only (there is little to no discussion of birth control options) or abstinence- plus (abstinence is stressed, but as a first choice and discusses birth control options). If you have concerns, go to the school principal and the school board to discuss your concerns. Work with your PTA to make changes if many parents agree with you to make the necessary changes. But also work with the students, they are the ones who will be benefiting from the education. Also remember, parents should be the first educators of their children in the home.