4 things not to say if you want to raise healthy tweens

Talking with an adolescent can be like walking through a minefield; at any moment, you could be asking what you thought was a simple, sincere question, only to find it triggering an explosive response. You know that communication keeps you connected to your child, but it often seems to backfire because of the type of questions asked.

Key Takeaways:

• Naturally, it can be really hard for parents to accept that their son or daughter is growing up, and some amount of trepidation is normal.
• Telling your child they’re too young to be thinking about sex/relationships is “the single most harmful thing a parent can say to a preteen” about those topics, warned O’Leary.
• It’s important to teach our tweens about healthy physical and sexual boundaries without resorting to victim-blaming.

“Encourage them to ask questions and seek reassurance, knowing that they won’t be judged. And whatever you do, don’t let any of these statements leave your mouth.”

http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1128915/lies-we-need-to-stop-telling-tweens