Session to help parents learn to talk

    PRESQUE ISLE – Let’s Talk Month is an opportunity for parents and children to learn to communicate in an open and honest manner about sexuality and other sensitive issues that can help young people delay pregnancy and avoid sexually transmitted diseases. Research shows that adolescents prefer their parents as sexuality educators, and young people want and need more information, guidance and open discussions.     While a community-wide response is essential to reduce teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease rates, families play a vital role in helping young people make healthy decisions about their sexuality. Most parents want to share their values and provide their children with accurate information about sexuality, but often parents and other adults feel uncomfortable discussing sexuality and need information and ideas to start meaningful conversations.
    Advocates for Youth, coordinator of Let’s Talk Month, is a national organization dedicated to helping young people prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases so that adolescents have the best opportunity for healthy and productive futures.
    To receive information about how to talk with your child about sexuality issues, contact Wendy Page, community education specialist at Aroostook County Action Program, Inc. at 768-3026.
    For anyone who is interested, there will be an educational session at the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library in Presque Isle Thursday, Oct. 8 from 5-7 p.m. in the conference room downstairs near the children’s library. This will be an open format with lots of discussion and plenty of time to answer questions.
    ACAP provides the people of Aroostook County with services and programs in the areas of health, nutrition, child and family, energy and housing, and employment and training, and as a leader or in partnership with others, provides guidance to the community in responding to emerging human needs.