Hello,
Here I am again. My almost 14 yr old daughter told me recently that she wants to go on birth control pill, and wanted to know what I thought about it. No, I was freaked about it, since she told me she is not sexually active, but wants to take it to reduce her periods. We discussed all the side effects, and I told her I would rather she wait, until she is in a more responsible position to make such decisions.
Today, we went to see her pediatrician -- I am single parent (father), so my daughter's mother was obviously not around to sit in with the discussion with the pediatrician). The pediatrician later told me that my daughter indicated, just as she told me, that she was thinking about going on birth control pills.
The pediatrician told me she told her she was too young to start (in her opinion), and chatted with her about the dangers of birth control pills and asked her to focus on her studies and think more carefully about the implications of entering into sexual relationships at such an early age. The pediatrician said my daughter asked about condom use and wanted to see how they looked like. So, consistent with their policy in the clinic, they handed her a pack of condoms, since they have already confirmed (through their discussions) that she is interested in having sex, and that it is better for them to take pre-emptive actions. The pediatrician then told me that my daughter asked her to tell me about the condom issue.
So, that was the "bombshell" I received this afternoon. I didn't and still don't know how to react to it.
--- my first reaction was to ask her to return the condoms to the clinic, but I believe she could still get them in other ways, since the law allows them to have access at any STD clinic
-- even though my daughter and I do talk, and she has been open (to a large extent), about her feelings with boys, I am still surprised about this "curiousness" about condoms?
Does it indicate intent to have sex? How do I handle it? I am from a culture where this is unheard-of, but I realized in the US, these situations can't be suppressed to easily. I am trying to think of the positives: that she is willing to be open to me; that she is willing to talk to her doctor; and that she wants me to know about what is happening with respect to her sexuality.
Any thoughts on't know how to react to it? How do I navigate this slippery slope?
thanks - Punda
Here I am again. My almost 14 yr old daughter told me recently that she wants to go on birth control pill, and wanted to know what I thought about it. No, I was freaked about it, since she told me she is not sexually active, but wants to take it to reduce her periods. We discussed all the side effects, and I told her I would rather she wait, until she is in a more responsible position to make such decisions.
Today, we went to see her pediatrician -- I am single parent (father), so my daughter's mother was obviously not around to sit in with the discussion with the pediatrician). The pediatrician later told me that my daughter indicated, just as she told me, that she was thinking about going on birth control pills.
The pediatrician told me she told her she was too young to start (in her opinion), and chatted with her about the dangers of birth control pills and asked her to focus on her studies and think more carefully about the implications of entering into sexual relationships at such an early age. The pediatrician said my daughter asked about condom use and wanted to see how they looked like. So, consistent with their policy in the clinic, they handed her a pack of condoms, since they have already confirmed (through their discussions) that she is interested in having sex, and that it is better for them to take pre-emptive actions. The pediatrician then told me that my daughter asked her to tell me about the condom issue.
So, that was the "bombshell" I received this afternoon. I didn't and still don't know how to react to it.
--- my first reaction was to ask her to return the condoms to the clinic, but I believe she could still get them in other ways, since the law allows them to have access at any STD clinic
-- even though my daughter and I do talk, and she has been open (to a large extent), about her feelings with boys, I am still surprised about this "curiousness" about condoms?
Does it indicate intent to have sex? How do I handle it? I am from a culture where this is unheard-of, but I realized in the US, these situations can't be suppressed to easily. I am trying to think of the positives: that she is willing to be open to me; that she is willing to talk to her doctor; and that she wants me to know about what is happening with respect to her sexuality.
Any thoughts on't know how to react to it? How do I navigate this slippery slope?
thanks - Punda
