1. Supervise your children.

Set rules, curfews, and clearly explain what behavior you expect of your child. Keep family discussion open and communicate respectfully. What activities does your child participate in while you are at work? Who is supervising your child after school? Where do they hang out with their friends? Remember that supervising your kids and knowing their whereabouts makes you a good parent, not a nag.

2. Know your children's friends and families.

Children are strongly influenced by their friends. Get to know the parents because you can have a say in who your child spends time with. Help them meet children of your own friends, who share the same values and beliefs on sex, love, and marriage. Ask to meet parents of teens early so you may set common rules and expectations. Try to set common curfews. Welcome your children's friends into your home and talk to them openly.

3. Discourage early, frequent, and steady dating.

Encourage group activities for your kids that are fun and exciting. Allowing one on one dating for your young teen is only asking for trouble. Make this rule clear when your teen is a child so they do not think you just don't like the particular person they are proposing to spend alone time with.

4. Give your teenagers options for the future that are more attractive than becoming sexually active at a young age.

The chances that your child will delay sex, pregnancy, and parenthood are strongly reduced if their future appears bright. Help them set real goals for the future, talk to them about what it takes to make those plans come true, and help them reach their goals. Teach them to be constructive with their free time. Encourage them to complete their homework. Show them how much their future could be diminished by becoming sexually involved before marriage.

5. Above all else, build a strong and close relationship with your child at an early age.

Show them and tell them you love them - clearly and often. Hug your children and praise their accomplishments. Spend quality time with your children doing things that they like, not just things that fit in your schedule. This will establish a trust that forms the basis for future communication with them about specific topics, including sexual behavior.

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