Talking With Kids About Tough Issues is a national initiative by Children Now and the Kaiser Family Foundation to encourage parents to talk earlier and more often with their children about such critical issues as sex, HIV/AIDS, violence, alcohol and drugs.

Anyone can plan Talking With Kids activities and events. Whether you are a parent, student, community leader, business, school or church....if you want to promote better parent-child communication in your community--you are the right person! The Organizer's Toolkit gives you suggested events and activities and some helpful tips and tools to organize a successful Talking With Kids event.

Welcome Organizers!

In today's world, kids are confronting sex, HIV/AIDS, violence, alcohol, drugs, and other tough issues at an increasingly early age. Experts identify ages 8-12 years as an important “WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY” when children are eager to hear about tough issues from their parents.

Parents want to protect their kids, educate them, and impart their values, but they often express uncertainty about HOW and WHEN to do so. For parents, having conversations with a child about sex and other tough issues can be difficult, but it is essential.

The Talking With Kids About Tough Issues campaign helps parents take advantage of the “window of opportunity” and gives them tools such as a parent booklet with ten tips on how to have OPEN and HONEST talks with their kids.

Talking With Kids About Tough Issues focuses on the importance of PARENT/CHILD COMMUNICATION. The organizer's kit is designed to assist you with planning, organizing, promoting and hosting Talking With Kids About Tough Issues activities in your community.

Establish a Working Committee

Identify members in the community and invite them to be a part of the planning-school officials, your PTA president, church leaders, public officials, etc. Coordinate activities and events that are educational and fun with those who believe in providing support for parents.

Get the Message Out!

The Talking With Kids message will be carried out to more people when you involve your local media. Newspapers, radio, television, magazines, etc. are outlets that can assist you in promoting Talking With Kids activities.

Sample Activities:

• Coordinate a parent seminar and feature a local expert on parent/child communication
• Organize a pre-game presentation at a major sports event or Little League game
• Distribute the Talking With Kids About Tough Issues parent booklet at a local grocery store or other business
• Display posters and flyers in businesses, break rooms, school lobbies, etc.
• Obtain a proclamation from a public official in your community
• Organize a media event with a radio station at the local mall
• Coordinate a teen theatrical group to perform at PTAs or other parent groups
• Get your school to sponsor Talking With Kids
• Coordinate a “brown bag lunch” at your place of work and promote Talking With Kids

Additional parents booklets and other campaign materials are available by CALLING 1-800-CHILD44 or VISITING THE WEB SITE at www.talkingwithkids.org

Ten Tips on Talking With Kids About Tough Issues

• Start early
• Initiate conversations with your child…
• …Even about sex and sexuality
• Create an open environment
• Communicate your own values
• Listen to your child
• Try to be honest
• Be patient
• Use everyday opportunities to Talk
• Talk about it again. And, again.