77. How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex, Consent, and Boundaries with Dr. Heidi Croatt

How do we raise kids who are confident in their boundaries, respectful of others, and not afraid to talk to us about the hard stuff—especially when we never had those conversations growing up?

Today, I’m joined by Dr. Heidi Croatt, a professor of Communication Studies, family sexual communication researcher, and creator of the “Beyond Birds & Bees” parenting education program. Heidi is passionate about helping parents talk openly and honestly with their kids about sex, consent, boundaries, and values—without shame, fear, or lectures.

In this episode, we get real about:

• What healthy sexual boundaries look like—and how to teach them without just laying down rules
• When (and how!) to start talking to your kids about sex, consent, and their bodies
• How to have honest conversations about porn without freaking out
• Signs your child might be exposed to sexual content (even if they’re not talking about it)
• How to navigate your own awkwardness, shame, or silence and show up with confidence
• What to do if you haven’t had these conversations yet (spoiler: it’s never too late!)
• How to root your conversations in your family’s values while still staying grounded in reality

Whether you’ve started these talks or feel completely behind, this episode will give you the encouragement, language, and perspective to parent with confidence in this often-uncomfortable area.

🎧 Don’t miss Heidi’s first appearance in Episode 47, where we talked about how to lay the foundation for open communication around sex and bodies from an early age.

MENTIONS IN THE EPISODE:
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Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.