Sex is not a dirty word.

May is National Teen Pregnancy Awareness Month and to help raise awareness of the valuable role parents play in educating their children about sexuality and healthy relationships, several free, unique and fun relationship skills classes for parents will be offered by the Marriage Resource Center of Carroll County (MRC) during the month of May.

The classes will equip parents and guardians with creative strategies and relationship skills to navigate those sensitive discussions relating to teen sex and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, healthy dating practices, peer pressure to have sex, how to say “no” without hurting feelings and other related topics.

Class dates are: Sunday, May 6, 1:30 p.m., at the Portico at St. John, 42 Monroe St., Westminster. This program will be taught in Spanish.

Thursdays, May 10 and 17, 7 – 8:30 p.m. at The Hill Family Center Y, 1719 Sykesville Rd., in Westminster. Part I will focus on “Why” building a relationship with your teen is so critical to him/her making wise lifestyle choices. Part II will focus on “How” to teach those skills, the research on brain development, and conveying your family’s values.

Wednesday, May 23, 6 to 8 p.m. – Westminster Community of Shalom, 25 Union St., Westminster. This will be a condensed version of the May 10 and 17 classes.
Mature middle school students are welcome to attend these classes with their parents.

“Sex is much more than just chemistry between two people and it’s not always easy to approach topics such as this with our kids,” says Amy Gilford, MRC’s Community Relations Director. “Our goal is to encourage, equip, and inspire parents and guardians. They are powerful figures in their children’s lives and play a key role in preventing teen pregnancy.”

There is no fee for the classes but attendees should register in advance by calling MRC at 410-386-9003.