Salam Alaikum sisters. I hope you all are feeling well 🌸

Today, about SEXUALITY, INTERCOURSE, AND PRIVATE BODY PARTS—and how to discuss these topics with children.

How many of you felt uncomfortable just reading these words? 🙋‍♀️ What other feelings do these words bring up for you? If you feel comfortable, please share your thoughts in the group.

This remains one of the most challenging topics for many mothers, especially in our Muslim community. Questions like how to talk to children about SEX and PRIVATE BODY PARTS often leave mothers feeling uncomfortable and uncertain. What should be done if a child sees or hears their parents being intimate, or asks uncomfortable questions?

Once again, I invite you to turn inward and ask yourself:
What do I feel?
Where is this feeling coming from?
And how do I know that?

As your child grows and develops, they challenge us to grow as well. It’s important to teach our children to protect their private body parts, take care of their hygiene, and understand their bodies. While in many Asian and Arab cultures, there may not have been a need to explicitly name these parts, in the UK and other Western countries, the approach is different. Here, private body parts have specific names, and many children are left confused when their mothers shy away from naming them.

If you feel uncomfortable saying these words out loud, try practicing in front of a mirror. Observe your body’s reactions as you pronounce other body parts like "head," "arm," "nose," or "mouth." How do you feel when you say these words?

If your child is satisfied with basic explanations about private parts, that’s okay. However, if they start asking specific questions, like "What does 'penis' mean?" it's important to provide a simple, clear answer, such as "It's a private body part that boys have." There’s no need to go into details unless the child’s natural development and understanding call for it.

If you’re still uncomfortable naming private body parts, it’s important to work on this area. If these feelings persist, and you continue to struggle with naming these parts, it may be a sign that you need some support or guidance.

Regarding women: we'll be discussing the roles of lover, homemaker, queen, and girl during our Sunday meetings. These are inner states, and I will soon invite you to a separate lecture on all four states, where we’ll explore how to create a cozy home and foster a closer relationship with your husband.