‘Tough Topics’ Booklet Can Help Parents Discuss Drugs and Sex With Their Children

Most responsible parents feel they need to discuss such difficult subjects as drugs, abuse and sex with their children. But it can be difficult to know how to present such topics and at what age children need or are ready to hear about them.

In an age when AIDS and divorce are among the subjects which may touch the lives of most children, Sara Wilford, director of the Early Childhood Center at Sarah Lawrence College, says “there is no easy ‘how to’ for parents seeking help in explaining hard-core facts of life to young ones. Each family’s values, sensitivities and feelings are as important as the information to be shared.”

With that in mind, Wilford has developed a booklet called “Tough Topics” which guides parents to books that will help them talk with their children about subjects such as abuse, adoption, divorce, handicaps, birth, sex and drugs. The introductions and listings are designed to help parents determine their child’s state of emotional readiness for each subject, and how to prepare an appropriate approach.

“Books can be used as powerful tools to lessen the anxiety level for adults and children when discussing hard-to-explain issues,” Wilford said.

“Tough Topics” is available free of charge from Waldenbooks by writing to: Waldenbooks, Attention PR No. 61, PO Box 10218, Stamford, Conn. 06904.