I Felt Like I Was Failing At 'The Talk' — And Then Chappell Roan Fixed Everything

As a single parent, I’ve always had a close relationship with my kids, who are now 13 and 14. We’ve spent their entire lives as a trio, and I’ve worked hard to maintain an open line of communication through all of the turbulence of childhood and adolescence. So when they entered their teen years and started establishing more emotional boundaries, I felt unsure of my footing. I wanted to give them space, but not so much that they feel neglected — and not so much that I feel out of the loop.

One of our biggest hurdles has been the talk. (We only call it that when we’re being silly or when they’re trying to avoid the conversation, which is most of the time.)

I know, firsthand, how important it is for kids to have access to accurate, inclusive information around sex and relationships. Growing up, my parents never had those conversations with me, and as a result I lacked the ability to make informed decisions about my body. My lack of understanding led to harmful situations I didn’t know how to navigate, and I wanted to make sure my kids did not share that same experience.

I also didn’t want them getting their sex education from their friends or any facet of the internet. I wanted to be the open, approachable parent who didn’t make a big deal about these topics, and for whom the conversation came naturally. But every time I tried to open the conversation, they shut down. “ Oh, God, we heard it all in health class,” they’d say, covering their ears and leaving the room.

There hadn’t ever been anything we hadn’t been able to talk about, and the stonewalling caught me off guard. I was stuck when trying to navigate it. I tried subtle suggestions; I slipped books onto the shelves in their rooms ― “ The Every Body Book” and “