News about the pandemic is everywhere. Even if you have young children, you can bet they’ve heard something about it. But they don’t understand what it means. As a parent, it’s important to talk to them to help put their minds at ease. By being honest and accurate, you’ll minimize their fear.

History is how people of all ages learn to change, grow, and make better decisions. Especially in our current environment, don’t avoid talking to your children about it. Nancy Sanders has a great book out called, “A Kid’s Guide to African American History.” Not only does this cover people, events, and experiences that shaped this history but it also offers more than 70 activities.

Although most parents have this talk when their kids are around 10 to 12, you’ll need to judge the correct time based on your child. When having this discussion, be prepared with anatomical images, don’t act embarrassed, and use real words. For instance, when talking about a male’s private parts, don’t use the word doohickey. Call it what it is…a penis.

The topic of death usually makes children feel scared and unsure. Every person responds differently to the news of a loved one passing away…sometimes, they cry, and other times, they remain quiet. Gauge your child’s reaction and then take the appropriate lead. Remember, you want to respect their response but also set the level of emotion. Most importantly, reassure them they’re safe.

Too many children are either bullied or they bully others. But here’s the deal…kids often find themselves in a bullying situation without realizing that’s what it is. So, help them identify this horrible act. A great video to start with is available on YouTube called “the basics of BULLYING — what it is & how to recognize it.” Watch it together so you can respond to your child’s questions.

Regardless of someone’s ethnicity, we’re all created equal. Considering children learn about this at a young age, you don’t want to ignore or even gloss over this topic. Make sure you do some research and when talking to your son or daughter, share an experience you had. Also, listen to what they say and emphasize that the color of someone’s skin doesn’t define who they are on the inside.

The last thing any parent wants is for their child to get hooked on drugs. Yet the shocking statistics in the US show that roughly 46,000 teens are. So, the sooner you talk to your kids about this, the better. Dare has a ton of online resources that’ll help you through a variety of specific issues on this topic.

Sometimes, all it takes is one sip of alcohol at home or a friend’s house to start a child on a dark journey. Like drugs, you don’t want to wait too long to bring up this topic. For this, you want to be firm yet loving. Teach your child about the dangers of alcohol on the body and mind, and provide them tips on how to avoid peer pressure.

From a young age, kids need to know that touching by anyone other than mom and dad isn’t okay. Even with the parents, they have to learn what is and isn’t appropriate. Start by defining what parts of the body are “private” and use proper words to describe them. Keep the tone of the conversation light while explaining they’re the “boss” of their body.

At some point, your child will come across someone their age who sneaks cigarettes. If you or your spouse smoke, it’s hard to tell kids it’s bad for them when they see you doing it. Even so, they need to understand the dangers involved. Thom Buttner authored a book titled, “Smoking Stinks!!,” which stresses the importance of avoiding this habit.

Not only does abuse happen outside of the home but also within it. Give them examples of the different types of abuse, ask them straightforward questions, and explain to them that none of it’s okay. Let your child know they can go to a safe parent or another adult if they’re being abused. The goal is to make them feel comfortable and safe during your conversation.

All too often, we hear tragic stories about small children being shot. Any parent who keeps a firearm in the home must take all precautions to keep their kids safe. The National Rifle Association put out an excellent video called “Learn Gun Safety with Eddie Eagle.” In cartoon form, this would be excellent to watch with your child, even if they’re young, and then answer any questions they have.

The closer your child gets to puberty the more critical it becomes to address specific issues that go beyond the basics of the “birds and the bees.” Explain this is something that every human being goes through. Use proper terms when describing body parts, break the conversation into segments so they don’t feel overwhelmed, and use day-to-day situations as examples to encourage a two-way conversation.

Even if kids eat healthy at home, they’re going to be tempted by junk food. Share the importance of well-balanced meals versus the consequences of eating poorly. Also, get them involved with gardening and have them help prepare meals with you. Mitchell Sharmat wrote a book called “Gregory, the Terrible Eater,” which will help get your message across.

Low self-esteem is often the reason kids aren’t motivated to perform well. If your child has a hard time expressing themself, provide a few possibilities, i.e., boredom, bullying, no friends, etc. Together, come up with a plan based on things your child is interested in. Make this a “we” problem and solution.

With an increasing number of young people “coming out of the closet,” so to speak, the subject of LBGT is important to address whether they fit within this group or not. Let your child know that no matter what they share, you’ll won’t be judgmental and your love is always unconditional. Even if you don’t feel it, act as though you’re comfortable when talking.

Kids react to things by the way they’re presented. So, when talking to your child about COVID-19, remain calm and reassuring. Give them ample time to ask questions and when you respond, provide accurate answers. Keep their age in mind…too much information could be hard for them to handle.

You have a great opportunity to use an assortment of books and videos that depict both blacks and whites. One book titled, “Whoever You Are,” is a great place to start. If old enough, provide examples of stereotyping and talk about how African Americans were treated fairly and unfairly. Stress to them that their opinions and actions can create positive change.

Never feel embarrassed or uneasy when telling your kids about the birds and the bees. Instead, take a factual approach, find a comfortable place to talk, use real words, and give them plenty of time to ask questions. The book, “Let’s Talk About the Birds and the Bees: Starting conversations about the facts of life” is something you could read together.

For some kids, their first experience with death is the loss of a pet of the passing of a grandparent. When talking to your child about the passing of a loved one, be honest about what happened, share stories about the good times, and reassure them that while they won’t forget the person or pet who dies, the pain will lessen.

Some kids who bully or are bullied won’t tell their parents. This is when an open line of communication is critical. For one thing, use words they understand like having a “beef” or starting “drama” as opposed to “bullying.” While it might require some digging, you need to get to the root of the problem, followed by coming up with a plan to correct it.

Explain to your son or daughter that no skin color is better or worse than another. Through books, television shows, videos, and movies, like Disney’s “The Color of Friendship,” expose your child to various cultural opportunities and show them that differences are only on the inside. You don’t have to be an expert on racism…just open and honest with your child.

Since today’s kids are exposed to both illicit and prescription drugs at an early age, they need to know why they should never touch them. For younger children, you don’t have to get into specifics…just an explanation as to why they’re bad. But for older kids, you want to lay down some hard rules. It’s called tough love.

Some kids think it’s cool to try alcohol, often the result of peer pressure. So, discuss why alcohol is bad and what it can do to harm the body. You can tell your kids that your goal isn’t to be the “cool parent,” but the “responsible parent.” Don’t use scare tactics but share real stories of what happens when young people drink.

As young as three, start talking to your child about inappropriate touching. Keep the focus on safety rather than abuse and use examples your child can relate to, such as never touching a hot stove or crossing the street without an adult. “My Body Belongs to Me” is a great online video created by Jill Starishevsky about body safety that you and your child can watch together.

Bring this up when your child is young. Don’t be afraid to set expectations and offer incentives for them to never smoke. This is also the time to highlight the dangers associated with tobacco use and ask how they feel about it. That way, you can answer direct questions.

When having a discussion on this topic, be prepared to answer the most commonly asked questions, like “What is abuse,” “Who abuses kids,” “Why do people abuse kids,” and “What’ll happen to me if I tell someone I’m being abused.” Answer honestly while reassuring them you’re a safe person to talk to. Together, you might check out this online cartoon video about abuse.

Even if you don’t have guns in your house, you’d be shocked to learn how easy it is for a child to get hold of one. Teach them that when properly handled, guns aren’t bad. But if handled wrong, they can seriously hurt or even kill someone, including themselves. You don’t necessarily want to scare your child but instill in them a deep respect for firearms.

Don’t refer to food as “good” or “bad.” Instead, the goal is to help them view certain choices that’ll help them grow healthy and strong. Let them know that if they don’t like something, you’ll work to find an alternative. And get them involved in choosing healthy food when visiting the grocery store or farmer’s market.

If your child lacks motivation in the classroom, playing sports, or even making friends, start by having an open and honest conversation to see if there’s something bothering them. You could also set up some kind of reward’s system, help them redirect their focus on what they excel at, and learn about the types of things they’re interested in. Marcus Pfister wrote an amazing book called “The Rainbow Fish”…check it out.

A lot of kids want to learn about everything, which means playing with toys designed for the opposite gender. Allow your child to develop into the person they’re supposed to be. If you struggle with this, there are a lot of support groups for both parents and kids.

Explain the importance of wearing protective masks, hand-washing, and social distancing. Give your children easy instructions that’ll help prevent contacting COVID-19. Be factual yet provide simple information to reduce their anxiety. If they have questions, take time to answer them honestly.

When talking to your kids about black history, it’s okay to discuss the hardships they endured along with their incredible accomplishments. Teach them about the abolishment of slavery, voter’s rights, education, and equality. Many black men and women have played a key role in the development of the United States.

Often, it’s best to follow a child’s lead on this topic. More than likely, they already have a lot of questions so give them time to ask. At the same time, they don’t need a full run-down on human sexuality. So, keep the conversation simple yet factual, and use real words.

Honesty is always the best policy. Sure, you want to protect your child from being hurt but they need to hear the truth. Don’t dismiss their questions and never be afraid to share your feelings. You can also use aids like the book, “A Bunch of Balloons.”

If you have a child who bullies, help them understand the consequences of their action. Explain how the targeted child feels and put punishments in place at home. If your child is bullied, be there to listen and offer support. Become an advocate for your child, which could mean getting the school and the parents of the other child involved.

Talk about it…that’s number one. Also, set a positive example for your children. More than likely, they’re going to be curious…why does it exist, what can we do about it, and so on. Be prepared to cover all their questions.

Parents have a lot of resources to help them when discussing drug use with their children. Anthony Curcio’s “Critters Cry Too” picture book is something that even a young child can understand. Read it together and then allow your child to ask questions. Provide honest answers based on their age and comprehension.

When young, children don’t understand why it’s okay for adults to have alcoholic beverages yet it’s bad for them. If they’re old enough, explain to them how the law works. For younger children, use simple examples regarding the abuse of alcohol and the way it changes how a person thinks and acts.

To emphasize the point that your child should never hold something like this back, there’s an awesome book called “Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept.” This illustrated book is ideal for children of varying ages. It’ll make your kid feel far more comfortable telling you if something happens.

A lot of kids learn from visual elements. When old enough, you can show them photos of a healthy lung versus one belonging to a smoker. Also, teach them about the cancer-causing agents in tobacco products. For this, you don’t want to sugar-coat information.

Children need to understand there are different types of abuse so they can identify them if they experience something. Let them know if they don’t feel comfortable talking to you, especially if abuse occurs within the home, they can always reach out to a teacher or a grandparent.

If you’re pro-gun, teach your children they’re not toys. Again, use words your kids can understand while getting your point across. When they’re ready, have them complete a gun safety course or take them to the gun range with you.

Your kids need to know how hormones affect the way they feel. Before they reach puberty, be open and honest with them so they know what to expect. Use correct anatomical names and let them know you’re available any time they have questions. Among the various online resources, this one covers multiple topics.

If you start your child out on healthy food at a young age, they probably won’t crave junk food much. But if they lean that way, explain the effects of bad food on the body and mind. Also, provide them with real-life stories and get them involved with cooking healthy recipes with you.

You’d be amazed what a heart-to-heart conversation with your child will uncover. Make sure they know you’ll support them in something they want to do, even if it’s not what you had in mind for them. You might need to introduce them to more than one thing before something finally clicks.

Whether you suspect anything about your child or not, with this being such a prominent topic in today’s society, you want to have an open discussion. Don’t be nervous…after all, this is your kid. If your child is younger, you might read “And Tango Makes Three,” which is an excellent aid.

A lot of young kids think they know everything. But don’t argue. You don’t want a conversation to turn ugly. Pick the right time and place to talk to your child and never argue.

Most parents talk more than they listen, especially when discussing tough subjects. Hear what your child has to say. You’ll gain tremendous insight into their mind and build a stronger bond.