Kids, Parents Tackle Sensitive Topics With Help From the Hospital

St. Joseph's Hospital-North will once again welcome teens and their parents to talk about the physical and mental changes that come with puberty, and abstinence. Titled "Teen Talk," the program aims to help families confront sometimes touchy subjects.

Patch chatted with class instructor Deborah Sickmon to learn more about the program, which returns to the hospital in October.

Patch: What is the mission of the Teen Talk class?

Sickmon: It opens that door of communication between the parent and the child since they're in the class together. One thing I always say to the children, "If you have more questions your best resource is the person sitting next to you." The main thing is it helps to foster those open lines of communications regarding puberty and sexuality.

Patch: What can participants expect in the class?

Sickmon: The beginning is gender specific. We start out by going over the typical physical and emotional changes of puberty helping the children realize it's a long process and its different for everyone. We cover everything from acne to body odor to facial hair for boys and anything that deals with how our body is changing. After, we move into the reproductive system gender specific. Then for girls, we also do an additional segment on sanitary protection. We are empowering the children to feel comfortable with this so its not a scary time. The class culminates with conception and how are babies made. And then we move into the concept of what is abstinence.

Patch: How do you approach the topic of abstinence?

Sickmon: When we talk about abstience in regards to youth, we're talking about abstaining from sexual activity. We show a video called "It's The Right Choice." It's about a group of kids who realize its OK to have questions about sex and that having an understanding is a lot of different than participating in it. Statistically, girls who have an open line of communication are less likely to go out and do it.

Patch: We know this class is focused around the kids, what do parents gain from it?

Sickmon: A sense of confidence. Parents over and over come up after the class and say "Thank you so much this has really helped." It breaks down that barrier and opens the door to help the parent and child have an open line of communication.

Want To Go?

Teen Talk

Children ages 10 to 14, along with their parents, will learn about the physical and emotional changes of puberty. The second portion of the class is appropriate for older adolescents and involves a discussion about conception, sexually transmitted disease and the importance of abstinence. Registration is required. Cost: $25. Call 813-443-3078 to register.

For Girls: Oct. 21, 1 – 5 p.m., St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, Garden Classrooms.

For Boys: Oct. 25, 6 – 9 p.m., St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, Garden Classrooms.