SEX: Once a Day

Every one's talking about sex these days. It only makes sense, seeing how the current election has turned everyone from informed voters to opinionated forecasters.

Talking about sex has never been an awkward or embarrassing issue for me, but I did find it ironic that, on the same day, two of my favorite sites that discuss sex and relationships, chose to interpret this chart differently.

Over at Women's Health, they decided to focus on what to say while having sex while Daily Bedpost gave their input on what not to say.

Either way, sex talk is the major issue here and I encourage you - NO! - I urge you, to speak out, speak up and speak often, especially when it comes to telling your partner what exactly it is that you need, or where, how and perhaps, how often.

Vagina Festival: Only in NYC

Vagina Festival is a visual and performance art experience, organized by artist-activist, Alexandra Jacoby. It is an outgrowth of her project, vagina vérité®—an unabashed exploration of the plain, ordinary, mysterious matter of vaginas.

VAGINA FESTIVAL is an opportunity to have conversations we don’t typically get to have - in ways we don’t typically get to have them. Through visual art, performance, speaker presentations and interactive activities, Vagina Festival forms a welcoming space for exploring sexuality, body image, personal identity, health and well-being.

At Vagina Festival, we exchange ideas, challenge cultural norms and celebrate women. Their aim is to engage people by creating a fun, moving, thought-provoking experience.

Vagina Festival is made possible by generous sponsors and volunteers who are passionate about creating conversation. If you’d like to be a part of organizing and promoting Vagina Festival, go now to sign up.

October 24-26, 2008
Sage Theater
711 Seventh Avenue, 2nd FL
New York, NY 10036

Vagina Festival is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non profit arts service organization. Contributions on behalf of Vagina Festival may be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Donations can be made by credit card, or by check.

Parenting Tips

Parenting Press has been providing Parenting Tips of the Week each week for years and I've only just discovered them. Some of my favorites:

• Who is Responsible for Happiness?
• When Grandma Criticizes Your Parenting
• Teach Your Child What to Do When Lost
• The Importance of Bedtime Rituals
• Reducing Parenting Conflict with Your Spouse
• Discussing Sexuality With Your Teen

I'll be including these in upcoming posts to continue the conversation and to hear what readers think. You're welcome to post comments here about the above tips.

In Response...

Over at Dad's House, there's an interesting discussion that's been catching the eye of many a blogger (single parents, especially). Here are my two cents:

1. Men are creepy. My male "friend" of over four years ended up confessing his feelings for me recently and I was TOTALLY creeped out since I had been sharing info about my life with him over the past several years (including details about my current relationship and how I feel towards the man in my life). ICK. I can never look at him the same way again.

2. A woman doesn't want to hear that she's attractive or sexy from just anyone (and if she does then she has issues). Most women only want to hear this from a guy she's totally into or finds attractive and sexy too. But, the problem is, how does a guy know if he falls into this category or not?

3. The fact that most men admit to looking at women in a sexual way (regardless of the circumstances) should serve to elicit a strong reaction from all involved. It should also go without saying that men do need women (and vice versa).

4. David wrote: "For a woman to admit she needs a man reveals vulnerability." David, it all depends on the circumstance or what she is really saying she needs. Perhaps she needs his attention. Perhaps she needs him to fulfill her fantasies in a physical way. Perhaps she needs him for a one night stand or a lifelong commitment. Perhaps she just needs to feel he wants her so she can turn around and reject him. Let's not generalize here. And to MsSingleMama - I'm not referring to you in any of the above scenarios.

Let's face it, women have been using the power of their sexuality for generations to get what they want or "need" and that isn't about to change anytime soon. (I'm not saying I agree with this or that I myself do this but then again, I'm not saying that I don't.) And for just as long, men have been trying to figure out ways to use that power against us.

I could go on but I'm afraid my blog isn't just about relationships or sexuality. But I will end with this: I need the men in my life for different things and I believe admitting that only makes me stronger.

Men, women, single or in a relationship - what do you think? Obviously the convo caused a strong emotional reaction from those who've read and commented so far...

Let's Talk About Sex

Since my son is only four, I haven't felt the need to start worrying - just yet - about the sex talk, but I'm prepared for when the time comes to sit down with him and explain ways in which he can protect himself (and his partner) from not only unwanted pregnancy, but from STDs as well.

Now I'm not going to preach here or share with you my personal beliefs (or experiences) but I will say this: I was a teenager once.

Childhood is much different these days than it was when I was growing up. I'm sure things will change quite a bit more before my son reaches his teen years. Check out this startling new Safe Sex Passport that is meant to be provided to / from partners before sexual activity.

Luckily, there are several resources that will help give him the proper information while allowing him to explore these embarrassing and often-times, difficult questions on his own.

Thanks to the Daily Bedpost, I discovered that today is the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Now, I realize that unwanted pregnancy is not something anyone (of any age) wants to deal with, but what about preventing STDs. Isn't that something to be even more concerned with?

Here are just a few sites I've discovered that provide factual information and answer questions many people may have:

Planned Parenthood

Smarter Sex

Your Total Health:
Sexual Health Information

SIECUS: Sexuality Information and Education
Council of the United States

Medical Institute for Sexual Health

Sexual Health Network

Coalition for Positive Sexuality

Feminine Box

I Wanna Know

And for parents or adults to share with children:

How to Talk to Your Child About Sex:
It's Best to Start Early, but It's Never Too Late
A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents

It's Not the Stork

It's So Amazing

It's Perfectly Normal

Ten Talks Parents Must Have
with their Children about Sex & Character

Momference 2008

New Momference Make-Over Starting in the Spring of 2008, Momference will present events geared toward truly changing and empowering the lives of women everywhere! Events will focus around the areas of: Divorce Special Needs Families Domestic Violence Parenting Teens Child Safety Mompreneurs Visit our new online Momference events calendar to see a complete listing of online tele-conferences and webinars lead by leading experts in the fields of parenting and women's coaching.
Calling all Divorced Women Are you divorced, going through a divorce, or know someone who is getting a divorce? Everyone does! The April 9th and 12th Momference event, sponsored by Laura Campbell of the DSpot, "Divorce: Passion, Power, and Play," is the ideal way to help yourself or someone you love deal with the issues surrounded the break up of a marriage. As the perfect gift of healing for yourself or a way to help a loved one struggling with the pain of divorce, the small registration fee of $39 includes both days of the event, a special virtual goodie bag, and podcasts of all of the sessions to review at your leisure! The keynote speaker of the "Divorce: Passion, Power, and Play" event will be Dr. Pepper Schwartz, the author of Prime: Adventures and Advice about Sex, Love and the Sensual Years. She is a renowned author, lecturer and authority on the subject of sexuality and relationships. Pepper wrote the column “Sex and Health” for Glamour magazine for seven years. She has appeared on such television programs as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dateline and Dr. Phil, and on programs for the cable television network Lifetime. If you have not signed up for the upcoming FREE "Divorce: Passion, Power, and Play" event with Dr. Pepper Schwartz or Linda Ward (or both--they are FREE right??), then do it now before all the spaces are taken!
Addressing Special Needs Did you know...1 in 5 families in the United States have Special Needs children? If you have a special needs child or know someone who does, then you can fully understand the trials and tribulations associated with caring for their needs. In our April 26th "Special Needs: Managing STRESS with a SMILE" event, sponsored by Stephanie Haber of The Special Needs Family, special needs families are given the best tips and tactics finding happiness in the chaos. Whether you join the Momference "Special Needs: Managing STRESS with a SMILE" to bring peace to your own home or provide sanity to a loved one struggling to manage, the small registration fee of $39 includes a full day of tele-classes and webinars, a special virtual goodie bag, and podcasts of all of the sessions to review at your leisure! NOTE: This event qualifies for a special discount for groups of 5 or more! If you have group that would like to register for the "Special Needs: Managing STRESS with a SMILE" event, then please contact marketing@momference.com for details. If you have not signed up for the upcoming FREE Special Needs: Shut Up about your Perfect Kid event with Patty Konjoian, then do it now before all the spaces are taken!
Getting Bloggy with Momference Through connecting moms across the blogosphere in our Momference community and sharing valuable articles with tips from Momference experts, the Momference blog is a gathering place for moms to share their experiences and help each other promote stronger families. Stop by today by leaving a comment on our blog at http://momference.wordpress.com!