Birds & Bees - Beyond "The Talk"

About this episode

This episode explores how to have ongoing, age-appropriate conversations about sex and safety with children.

In this episode of Parenting for the Present , we're joined once again by Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson of Birds & Bees , trusted voices helping parents navigate conversations about sex, bodies, boundaries, and safety with confidence. Mary Flo has been equipping parents to talk to their children about sex since 1986, using a practical, values-based approach rooted in research, experience, and humor. Megan, a former middle school teacher and mom of three, joined the mission over a decade ago after seeing how early, healthy conversations can shape adolescence and beyond. Together, we explore what it means to move beyond "the talk" and instead build ongoing, age-appropriate conversations that foster trust. This episode addresses some of today's most pressing parenting challenges, including navigating curiosity between kids, managing multiple ages under one roof, responding to early exposure to explicit content, and staying aligned with a co-parent when comfort levels differ. We also discuss the importance of creating a family message and why ignorance is not the same as innocence. Whether you're just starting these conversations or looking for a reset, this episode offers…

People in this episode

Host: Parenting For The Present

Guests: Mary Flo Ridley, Megan Michelson

Topics covered

• sex education
• parenting conversations
• child safety
• family communication
• boundaries
• trust building

Keywords

• sex education
• parenting
• children
• communication
• boundaries
• trust
• family

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Birds & Bees

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