From Diapers to Dating

Book excerpt: A leading educator's warm, practical, step-by-step program for helping parents provide accurate information and communicate their own values to their children. Synopsis Approved by Parents' Choice 1999, praised in Time, Newsweek, and Library Journal Whether she is discussing how to help kids deal with the onslaught of sexual messages they see in the media or providing sensible guidance on teaching the facts of life, Debra Haffner's values-oriented approach to raising sexually healthy children is informative and comforting. Organized from birth through age twelve, her acclaimed book presents a wealth of practical techniques to help parents identify and communicate the appropriate information to give to children of different ages. Each chapter includes: Values exercises: Questions to help parents sort out their own values about sexuality and decide what they want to teach their children. What to expect and how to prepare: Lively discussions on each stage of a child's life, filled with relevant information, sparkling anecdotes, and sample conversations. Teachable moments: How to find and use opportunities throughout a child's life to bring up specific issues of sexuality instead of waiting to have that ''big talk.'' Dozens of age-appropriate questions and answers are included. In addition, Haffner covers special issues, including sexual harassment in school, questions that may arise when divorced parents begin to date, and how to evaluate sexuality education outside the home. Accessible and comprehensive, From Diapers to Dating also contains extensive resources for more information, including Web sites, hotlines, health facilities, pertinent organizations, and much more. It is a must-read for every parent who wishes to lay a solid foundation for their children's adult lives.