Spring 2014, Issue 4

Doug and Carolyn Griffin are

parents to their teenage son
Benjamin, who is now 17. Benjamin
is a High School boy who became
sexually active without forewarning
his parents. Both Benjamin and his
parents are now facing the
consequences by welcoming baby
Kensington into the family last
December. Becoming
Grandparents at the young age of 47
wasnt exactly Doug and Carolyns
plan, but they are forgiving of their
sons mistake and trying to make the
best of it. When sitting down with
his parents Benjamin explained that
him and his girlfriend, Norma Jean,
started having sexual intercourse at
age 15. His girlfriend told him she
was pregnant over a text message
and then asked for money for
medical bills. Little did Benjamin
know how much his life was about
to change.
Speaking to Doug and Carolyn
they both blame themselves for not
having the sex talk with their son
sooner. They didnt put restrictions
on television and the computer,
which gave Benjamin the chance for
his mind to run free full of curiosity.
Carolyn says, If I could go back I
would tell my Benjamin how to
have safe sex. We love little
Kensington and know she was given
to us for a reason, but when Doug
and I mapped out our life, we didnt
plan on becoming grandparents
before having our own on baby
graduate high school. Carolyn and
Doug know in their hearts that they
could have postponed little
Kensingtons arrival by having the
talk with Benjamin and explaining
to him that although television
makes sex activities look fun, not
doing them the proper way could
lead to serious consequences.
Benjamin wasnt aware that
unprotected sex could lead to a
baby or a sexually transmitted
diseases.
Benjamin was curious about all
the commercials and ads he saw in
the media, but knew it would be
awkward to ask his parents about.
His dad Doug wishes he had
established that connection with
Benjamin. I hate that Benjamin
Have the Talk
Before its Too Late
Carolyn
encourages all
Parents to
have the talk
with your teen
before its too
To the Right: Carolyn (Mom)
speaking to her son Benjamin
(Boy Left) about sex.

Lorem Ipsum

Doug described there parenting
style as connected and close with
their teenager, or at least that is
what they thought until the
announcement of soon to be little
Kensington came out.
Benjamin said he regrets not
listening to his heart that wished to
talk to his parents. Instead he
talked it through with his girlfriend,
who is now the mother to their
child, about sex. She was
experienced. Norma Jean had been
in my shoes before, she
remembered being an innocent
virgin. She related to me in a way I
thought my parents couldnt.
Looking back, I can see that all she
did was talk me into having sex
with her, she didnt make me aware
of the consequences.
Benjamin describes his new life
as a dad as a struggle. He wants to
spread the word and encourage
parents to have the talk and he
wants to reach out to teens and
make them aware of the
consequences. The media makes
sex look fun, but its only fun with
Pictured Above: Baby Kensington who
is 5 months old in May.

Have the Talk:
Sex appears in a variety of
commercials, from shampoo
to automobiles.
The Pediatric Journal reported
the decrease in birth control
products.
Research shows that giving
teens access to Birth Control
and other protection products
does not necessarily encourage
them to have sex.
For more information about
the media and advertising with
sex you can visit,
http://pediatrics.aappublication
s.org/content/118/6/2563.full#s
ec-3
Pictured Left: Doug (Dad) with son
Benjamin, discussing his new life as a
dad to baby Kensington.
Dont wait until its too late. Babies are a
blessing, but they are both a blessing
and a joy only at the right time.