# 249 08/02/04 Four books get a recommendation

I have been writing about Internet resources for sex education. The Internet is a good source for teens if parents supervise. Teens are much more likely to read a computer screen than a book. They are tuned in to electronic media. We might as well use the media that will get them involved.

Children still need books. I have not found anything on the Internet that is a good resource for younger children. I would, however, like to recommend a series of books that I think are excellent.

Stan and Brenna Jones believe that “God wants Christian parents to be the primary sex educators of their children.” They first wrote a book for parents, How and When to Tell Your Kids about Sex. Then they discovered that parents wanted books to read to their children rather than having to make up the dialogue themselves. From that came the four books in the God’s Design for Sex series.

Book One is The Story of Me, written for children ages three to five. Book Two, written by Carolyn Systrom, is Before I Was Born, for five- to eight-year-olds. Book Three is What’s the Big Deal? for preteens. Book Four, for teens, is Facing the Facts: The Truth about Sex and You. All except the last book are to be read aloud to the child to promote discussion.

The authors emphasize several points throughout the series. God created the human body and called it “very good.” Both boys and girls are equally important to God. Our bodies and our sexuality are gifts from God. God designed sex for marriage. God created families to nurture and to love children. Each book addresses topics that are appropriate for children of the target age.

I am sure that there are many other good books for you to use as you teach your children about God’s plan for sex. These just happen to be the best that I have found in my research.

No matter what books you choose, remember to treat the topic as matter-of-fact as you treat other topics. The books should be read many times just as you do other books. God wants you to teach your child to walk in His ways. Seek his guidance, not only about sex education, but for all the lessons you teach your child. Remember that you are building a relationship with your child as you discuss this very important subject - a relationship to help you through the teen years.