Copyright Page
2016 by Anne Marie Miller
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2016
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-0145-1
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In circumstances in which permission could not be obtained, the names and insignificant details of the stories in this book have been modified in order to protect the identities of the people mentioned. Some anecdotes and characters may also be composites of multiple illustrations and people. If the situation warranted reporting, rest assured those responsible took all appropriate legal measures and action. Any other resemblance of any person or any situation, real or fictional, is entirely coincidental.
This publication is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subjects addressed. Readers should consult their personal health professionals before adopting any of the suggestions in this book or drawing inferences from it. The author and publisher expressly disclaim responsibility for any adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained in this book.
Author is represented by the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc., 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920, www.alivecommunications.com.
Endorsements
Far too many Christian parents are afraid of too much, too soon when it comes to their kids knowing about sex. Unfortunately, this often means parents say too little, too late. Annes book shatters this and other misconceptions parents have about teaching children about sexual topics, and in our hyper-sexualized culture, it delivers a timely and critical message.
Luke Gilkerson, author of The Talk and Educational Resource Manager at Covenant Eyes
I remember seeing Annes blog post Three Things You Dont Know about Your Children and Sex go viral, and I am so excited her new book has expanded on this topic. Every parent needs to pay attention to this book.
Craig Gross, founder of iParent.tv and author of Touchy Subjects
Thank you, Anne Marie Miller, for speaking out about the oft-taboo subject of kids and sex. You remind meusing loving, honest, educational wordsthat it wont be through sheltering or silence that we guide our kids to a place of sexual health. It will be through conversation, love, and a focus on our Creator. This book has empowered me as a mom. I recommend it.
Lisa Whittle, speaker and author of { w} hole and I Want God
Anne Marie Miller has given a wonderful gift to parents in Things Every Parent Needs to Know about Their Kids and Sex . Having worked with teenagers and parents for twenty-five years, I find parents are rarely prepared for having this discussion. It never seems to happen on our timeline, and the prevalence of sexual knowledge surpasses anything most parents had access to when they were children and teens. Ann Maries book is current and on point. Read this before you think you need to, and if that time has passed, start reading now!
Mark Matlock, president of Youth Specialties
Honest, authentic, and essential. Anne Marie brilliantly weaves her compelling personal journey, insightful analysis, and practical suggestions into a helpful resource for every family.
John Cotton Richmond , speaker, writer, and federal human trafficking prosecutor
This is Millers best work. Things Every Parent Needs to Know about Their Kids and Sex is really raw and really powerful. She speaks with experience and authority and has compiled a great list of stories, interviews, tools, questions, and resources for parents to use with their kids.
Rhett Smith, MDiv, LMFT
Anne Marie Miller has done the work. Her passion, intelligence, and talent intersect and bring us something truly important in 5 Things Every Parent Needs to Know about Their Kids and Sex . If we are honest with ourselves, it is easy to recognize the spiritual and sexual crisis facing our children today. Miller informs and instructs with humility and compelling confidence. The intertwining of her research and her personal history gives the reader the distinct sense that she knows this topic inside and out, and it makes her determination to win back the hearts and minds of our children contagious. I am more equipped to be a better father after reading this book.
Dr. David Long, MD
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Endorsements
One Thing You Need to Know before Reading This Book
Authors Note
Contributors
Preface: My Story
Introduction: Sex Is a Gift from God
1. The Earlier, the Better: Talking to Your Kids about Sex
2. Your Child Is Not the Exception: The Ineffectiveness of Sheltering and What to Do Instead
3. Kids Consume Sexual Messages through Mainstream Media: A Quick Review of Whats Out There and How to Address It
4. Google Is the New Sex Ed: The Impact of Pornography on the Brain and the World
There Is Hope
Resources for the Conversation
Acknowledgments
Notes
About the Author
Back Ad
Back Cover
One Thing You Need to Know before Reading This Book
This is a book about sex.
Things may get a little awkward.
And thats the thing were going to change.
Sex is not awkward (well, it can be... in a fun way ... more on that later).
Sex is beautiful.
Sex isnt just a physical actits a spiritual one.
Its emotional.
Its relational.
Our sexuality isnt something that should be hiding in dark corners; it should be discussed honestly, joyously, openly.
And while sex is a brilliant part of our lives, its also an intimate part of our lives.
That doesnt mean we need to keep quiet about it.
Since the day the first humans knew they were nakedand they were ashamedwe have been trying to put as many proverbial fig leaves as possible between our sexuality and one another.
Its time to start peeling off the layers one by one.
Yes, this is a book about sex, and we explore sensitive topics like pornography, abuse, and trafficking. You might find some of the things you read disturbing or offensive. Sometimes the things you read are disturbing or offensive.
But sexuality is not.
Ive worked very closely with my publisher, my editors, and various contributors to communicate the truth and context of the often-scary reality in which we live without being gratuitous. It is not my goal to shock you with unnecessary details, yet at the same time the subject matter at hand has often been distorted from a beautiful part of being divinely human to the unimaginable and the unpleasant. I have attempted to walk this fine line with decency and wisdom and hope you will walk along that line with me with grace and understanding.