Body Autonomy and Boundaries

Body Autonomy and Boundaries

From Things Nobody Tells You by Kiindred

January 12, 2026 · 46 min · Episode 6

About this episode

This episode discusses the importance of body autonomy and consent for children, featuring insights from sex and health educator Vanessa Hamilton.

Consent starts with nappy changes, hugs from relatives, and the language we use when our kids are still tiny. But somewhere along the way, many of us were taught that children's bodies aren't really their own - that they should hug on command, stay quiet during bath time, and never question what adults do to them. In this episode, Emmy sits down with Vanessa Hamilton - Sex and Health Educator, author, and one of the original expert voices behind the work we do. Together, they unpack what body autonomy actually looks like from birth, how to talk about private parts without shame, and why teaching consent early is one of the most protective things we can do as parents. They cover the practical stuff but also go deeper - into grooming, online safety, sexual extortion, gender diversity, and how to be the ‘askable parent’ your child needs as they grow. With real examples, scripts you can actually use, and a reminder that it's never too early (or too late) to start these conversations - this is an empowering listen for anyone raising kids in a world that doesn't always respect their boundaries. Be curious. Start early.

People in this episode

Host: Emmy

Guest: Vanessa Hamilton

Topics covered

  • body autonomy
  • consent
  • parenting
  • children's rights
  • sexual education
  • boundaries
  • safety

Keywords

  • body autonomy
  • consent
  • parenting
  • children
  • sexual education
  • boundaries
  • grooming
  • online safety
  • gender diversity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Kiindred

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