http://karenrayne.com Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:21:31 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en **Editor's note: I have a comprehensive sex ed class for middle school students starting in Austin soon!  If you're local, or local enough, that you're interested, drop me an e-mail (karen.rayne@gmail.com), and we'll talk!** The new year starts with new resolutions!  This year I have decided to have three resolutions, and ... http://karenrayne.com/2012/01/09/resolutions/ As I prepare for another round of middle school and parent classes in the spring, return to working on editing my book for publication sometime in 2012, and look to expand my speaking work both in Austin and around the country, I am considering how to market myself.  Part of ... http://karenrayne.com/2011/12/08/what-is-it-that-i-do-best/ There are many people talking loudly about how over-sexualized, inappropriate, highly suggestive the media is at all times and in all places.  This outreach tends to focus specifically on women and female representations.  There is currently a video making the rounds on Facebook and in other places stressing just these ... http://karenrayne.com/2011/10/12/teaching-about-the-media/ What is it about teenagers that drives their parents so crazy? I had a mother of two young teenage boys in my office this morning, bewailing the very typical actions of her sons.  By all accounts her sons are good kids - they (generally) listen to her and (eventually) do ask ... http://karenrayne.com/2011/10/04/those-crazy-teenagers-what-do-they-think-theyre-doing/ When I tell people that I teach sex education, I often get a response along the lines of, "Well there isn't really much to teach, is there?"  But the thing is, this content often IS complicated.  Perhaps at first glance the physical act of penile-vaginal intercourse is relatively straightforward, but ... http://karenrayne.com/2011/09/30/herpes-a-complicated-primer/ I am very excited to announce that Kiwi Commons, where I am a resident expert resource, has revamped their website and blog.  Kiwi Commons is an organization dedicated to providing "the best Internet safety resources for parents, educators and youth workers across North America. To encourage proactive strategies ... http://karenrayne.com/2011/09/27/talking-to-kids-about-their-online-networking/ Last week I asked that parents send me questions that they had about adolescent sexuality or their children (or themselves) specifically.  Below is my favorite question so far.  If you have a question that you haven't sent in yet, don't hesitate to e-mail me or leave it in the comments ... http://karenrayne.com/2011/09/19/what-to-do-with-varsity-level-porn/ I will periodically be writing posts about important aspects of healthy sex and sexuality that young people who are sexually active (or might be sexually active at some point in their lives - this means all of them!) should know.  Some of these may only be relevant to some young ... http://karenrayne.com/2011/09/14/what-they-need-to-know-side-effects-of-hormonal-birth-control/ Those of you who are regular readers may have noticed that for the last year or so I've written only sporadically - until the last few weeks.  I'm trying to get myself back into a schedule of blogging three times a week. As I was sitting her, pondering what to write ... http://karenrayne.com/2011/09/13/returning-to-the-world-of-blogging/ A parent of a newly minted high school student recounted a story to me today where his daughter cussed at him for the first time.  It was a relatively mild cussing event, but it upset him.  He pulled her aside, talked about the issues he has with cussing, and encouraged ... http://karenrayne.com/2011/09/09/the-time-for-insight/