This is not an article about the birds and the bees.

Instead, this article is about the need for parents to discuss the birds and the bees with their middle-schoolers — and frequently.

“People always joke about getting ‘the talk,’” said Mankato East Junior High counselor Janell Sipe. “But research stresses the importance of not just having one talk, but a continuous discussion.”

On Tuesday night, the Council for Health Action and Promotion is hosting one of its quarterly Let’s Talk events to help parents feel comfortable discussing sex more frequently with their middle-schoolers.

The event is geared for parents and caregivers of students in grades 5-8 and will feature presentations from Sipe and John Benson, a Mankato Clinic family physician. Benson will talk about the many developmental plateaus that are reached in the pubescent years while Sipe will focus on the sexuality aspect of that age.

In addition to information about teen pregnancy, peer pressure and teen dating, Sipe also wants to express to parents that they shouldn’t be shy in communicating their values to their children.

Sipe said that teen surveys consistently show that a parent’s values are the most important influence in a teen’s decisions about sex and sexuality. She said parents are the “first avenue” through which teens seek information.

Sipe said that discussions about sex don’t have to be complex. Use moments like watching TV together — there’s no lack of sexual content there, she said — or going for a walk to start a dialogue.

“It’s really important to just keep the door open and express your own personal values,” Sipe said.

If You Go
What: Let’s Talk event for parents of middle-school students with East Jr. High counselor Janell Sipe and Mankato Clinic physician John Benson

When: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Dakota Meadows Middle School cafeteria