LiveWell Newaygo Offers ‘Talk Early & Talk Often’

LiveWell Newaygo Offers ‘Talk Early & Talk Often’ 
Free workshop to give Fremont parents resources for talking to teen kids about abstinence, sex

FREMONT – Fremont Public Schools is hosting a free workshop designed to provide resources, tips and empowerment for parents to have conversations with their teen children about abstinence and sex. The workshop is scheduled for Fremont High School on May 30 at 5:30 p.m.

The nationally recognized workshops, called Talk Early & Talk Often, are two-hour sessions designed to help parents and caregivers of high school youth recognize and use opportunities to...

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...open the door for conversation. The workshops will also help parents and caregivers listen to and respond with greater confidence and skill.

The free workshop is organized by LiveWell Newaygo, with a grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. A free dinner will be provided to attendees of the workshop, which is for adults only. Child care will be provided for parents with young children, who will also be provided with dinner. Attendees will be entered into gift prize drawings. Seating is limited, so interested parents can register at http://bit.ly/2r9sIBv or by calling 231.924.5350.

“Parents are the prime educators of their children,” said Mark Petz, special projects coordinator at the Fremont Area Community Foundation, one of the community partners of the LiveWell Newaygo community health and wellness coalition. “Continued communication at home is vital in helping unprepared youth avoid the serious consequences of sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy. We’re pleased to partner with schools and parents on these workshops, which can empower parents and their children on an important issue affecting local families.”

The workshop will provide parents skills to:

• Open the door to conversation about abstinence and sexuality
• Address difficult situations and uncomfortable topics
•  Recognize and use teachable moments
• ​Become an “askable” parent

​“Young people will listen to their parents if there is a history of open communication between them,” said Scott Sherman, principal of Fremont High School. “We know that young people will engage in fewer risky behaviors when they are able to talk to their parents about those behaviors. It is critical that parents gain the knowledge and courage to begin having discussions about expectations surrounding abstinence, sex, sexting, and other forms of risky behaviors.”

For nearly a decade, Talk Early & Talk Often has received high praise from parents, educators and community leaders. The workshops are a project of the Parent Action for Healthy Kids, an organization based in Oakland County that aims to provide parents with resources to advocate for improved health initiatives in communities and schools. The organization also provides Teacher and Parent Education Workshops, Teacher Training, and Training of Trainers services for parents, teachers, school administrators, public health professionals and community-based organizations throughout our home state of Michigan and across the United States.