Supportive Adults

What is a Supportive Adult? 

At Bridgercare we recognize that not all people who take care of kids are parents. It is our intention to include and educate all supportive adults who help raise and educate kids of all ages. We’ve created this page to provide resources to build skills in starting and maintaining hard conversations with the young people in your life. 

Why Should Youth Learn About Sexual Health Early?

Studies show that for 12–19-year-olds…

  • 87% say that postponing sexual activity and avoiding the possible negative outcomes of sex would be easier if they could have more conversations about sex with their parents.

  • Parents are the most influential resource when it comes to their decisions about sex, more than their friends, the media, educators, and religious leaders.

  • 67% of sexually experienced girls and 53% of sexually experienced boys wish they had waited longer to have sexual intercourse

  • 1 in 3 adolescents are a victim of abuse from a dating partner. Among female high school survivors of sexual assault, nearly 75% were in a relationship with their perpetrator.

  • Current studies vary depending on how they’re measuring, but it’s estimated that between 9.5% (UCLA) and 26% (CDC) of high school students identify as part of an LGBTQ+ community.

Strategies for Hard Conversations with Kids

Adapted from Speak About It!

    • There are age-appropriate ways to incorporate information about healthy and safe bodies for babies who can’t even talk yet 

    • By talking early, you set yourself up as the expert, so your kids know to ask you questions, rather than their friends or the internet 

    • By establishing that you’re willing to engage in these discussions, kids are less likely to feel shame around asking questions as they grow 

    • Model speaking openly and honestly about hard topics 

    • Kids are learning from you even when you’re not actively teaching them 

    • Try to remain open and honest during sensitive conversations, even if they get flustered 

    • If you get flustered, name how you are feeling and why 

    • Acknowledge when you don’t know the answer to something, then model looking up the answer from a reputable source

    • Try having hard conversations in low stakes context 

      • Make a casual observation, followed by a question 

      • Use media as a doorway into a conversation 

    • Practice curiosity when they bring something up 

      • Ask open-ended follow-up questions 

    • Let them teach you something 

      • It can feel scary to find out that they know more or different information than you

    Example Follow Up Questions 

    1. Could you tell me more about that? 

    1. What does that mean to you? 

    1. Hmmm, I’m wondering if you’re talking about... 

    1. I’ve never heard that term before. What does it mean? 

    1. What do you think about that? 

    1. How do you feel about _______?

    • This is likely the first time they’re going through a particular scenario 

    • Acknowledge that relationships, friendships, and peer dynamics can be really hard, even as adults 

    • Practice echoing back information they’re giving you 

      • Echoing Back Sentence Starters 

        • It sounds like... 

        • I’m hearing... 

    • Help them understand that rejection (romantic and friendship) is a part of life, but is very challenging 

    • Keep an eye out for signs of unhealthy relationships and physical, verbal, and mental abuse in relationships 

    • It’s important to understand your own values and recognize that your child might not share those same values

    • We want young people to be happy and safe 

    • Talk positives 

      • What are your wants for them? 

        • To be in respectful relationships 

        • To be safe 

        • To have positive experiences 

    • Try not to focus on what you don’t want them to do  

    • Discuss family and personal values and why you hold those values for yourself – share relevant experiences that are important

Bridgercare Puberty Workshops 

These workshops are specifically designed for supportive adults and kids 8-12 years old. While the kids are learning all about inclusive and comprehensive puberty education, supportive adults have a Q&A session with Bridgercare health educators to answer all your puberty questions! 

Kids learn about:  

  • Anatomy 

  • Gender stereotypes 

  • Physical changes 

  • Emotional changes 

Developmental Stages