This week, as I read Sean E. Brotherson’s article “Fulfilling the sexual stewardship in Marriage” I was pondering how this topic can be so hard to talk about in public or with others. While a loving relationship is private, it is crucial that we have open discussions with our family about sex and being married.
Children are exposed to an unhealthy look at sexual relations from a young age. A quick google search will let you know kids are usually exposed to some form of pornography between the ages 9-11 years old. As their minds develop and without any direction of what they should do when exposed to those images or conversations, things can get addictive fast. Before that child is exposed to anything that would cause harm, we should be the ones starting the conversation. Rather than having “the talk”, we should have small open discussions whenever the child is ready. When we open up conversations while we are cleaning the house or relaxing around the house, the child will understand we can have these conversations whenever they want to have them. If we can get a head of the bad influences, your child will get that information from a much more reliable source. You can also lead them to certain talks or videos that the church has provided in their free time.
One of the things my wife and I talked about before we got married was talking about sexual relations. I think something that drew us together was our ability to talk with each other about anything and we found what works best for us. As we have been married and have one kid our talks have continued and always helped us to maintain a healthy relationship. I love what it says in A Parents Guide, Chapter 6 “Both husbands and wives have physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual need associated with this sacred act. They will be able to complement each other in the marriage relationship if they give tender, considerate attention to these needs of their partner. Each should seek to fulfill the other’s needs rather than to use this highly significant relationship merely to satisfy his or her own passion.” Rather than focusing on you and your needs, we were both more concerned about each other and knowing what the other person wants or needs. Having this open conversation has helped us in our marriage tremendously.
What are good ways we can keep open but respectful conversations about sexual intimacy with our spouse, family, and others?
FAML300 