Teaching Children about Sex Using the Temple as Your Guide - Cherri Brooks

Summary:  It’s time for “the talk.” Teach your children the truth about sexual intimacy in a world of shifting values and ideas. With expert advice and age-appropriate wording, you learn how to use the temple as a beautiful analogy to discuss with your kids the sacred subject of sex. Timely and clear, this book is a must-read for parents, teachers, and leaders.  (Summary and image from goodreads.com.  I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.)  

My Review: I'm the first person to admit I don't like self-help books.  Perhaps it's a maturity thing, perhaps it's the stubborn streak in me that is convinced no one knows what I need better than I do, or perhaps it's just the self-righteous way that the few I've tried have come across.

This is NOT in those categories at all.  I served a mission for my church when I was 21, and part of the responsibilities as a missionary was to explain the Law of Chastity as we view it in the Church of Jesus Christ.  There was NOT ONE principle that was more difficult for me to discuss, not because I didn't agree with it, but because I was too embarrassed to bring it up and discuss it openly with someone else.  Since my children are approaching the age where those talks are becoming more and more necessary, I don't fib when I say that sleep has been lost on how to broach this subject.

I want to read this book over and over. I want to dog-ear it and take notes in the margins.  I want it dripping with highlighter fluid.  I read it quickly, but the information was written in such an accessible and approachable manner from early childhood through puberty, it was wonderful.  Brooks has done an exhaustive amount of research into how to foster a healthy, gospel-centered and aligned, natural relationship with your body, and how to impart that wisdom and that respect to your children.  She includes resources and research she found helpful, drafts out possible Q and A dialogs that also have the values we strive to impart to our children, and she does it without shame, fear, or intimidation.   

The religious aspects of sexuality are definitely geared toward those of the LDS faith, however, I consider this to be an amazing and positive resource for any member of any faith looking to impart a healthy and respectful relationship with sexuality to their children.

My Rating:  Five Stars

For the Sensitive Reader:  The views contained are adherent with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  There is frank discussion on masturbation, rape, molestation, and homosexuality, but it is discussed from the point of view of how to handle such topics as they arise. 

Apologies for the wonky formatting.  I have no idea what my blasted computer is trying to do!!