I really appreciate this post. We homeschool, but I often have to add my own commentary to the curriculum that we use because of how rigid it can be. One of our textbooks insisted on referring to alcohol as a "drug." While I can agree that it can be used as a drug, I also had to explain that I wasn't "drugging" my kids when I gave them tylenol. The book was very black and white.. it gave no credit to adults to be able to make their own decisions... and it scared my daughter half to death!

I have since thrown the health textbooks out the window. I take daily moments to teach my kids (even the 2-year-old) why DUI is bad, why Mommies and Daddies sometimes have a glass of wine with dinner or after the kids go to bed, despite the fact that our church often preaches that all drinking is unwise. I continue to teach sex education in the same fashion -- using applicable real-life situations (like the recent news of Jamie Lynn Spears becoming pregnant) to encourage a better way for my daughter.

I try to do all this with as little judgment as possible, and with as much love as allowable. I know that my kids will make mistakes, but they will also have the opportunity to think through their decisions some day.. as all adults should.

Kudos for addressing this issue, Lela!