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Talking about Sex with your Children in a highly sexualized age, what you should know!

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

#TurksandCaicos, November 2, 2022 – The Birds and the Bees: the potentially awkward but necessary conversation between parents and children that introduces them to sexual education and sexual safety.  It is a must for all parents and children but many adults may not know how to go about it.  Raising Children, a childcare website funded by the Government of Australia, says young children are naturally curious and may want to know about their bodies and where babies come from.

The advice?

  • Explain things at a level children understand and make sure they have the facts.
  • Early conversations about sex can send the message that sex and sexuality are healthy parts of life.

In addition parents should teach young children about their personal space and how to protect it.  Explain to young children that no one should touch them without their permission, this includes hugs, unwanted kisses on the cheeks, tickles etc.

Allowing your toddlers and young children to set boundaries regarding simple touches like these and supporting them in their decisions will make them more likely to understand the difference between good touches and bad ones.

It will also make them more likely to be vocal if they experience something that makes them uncomfortable.

For teens and preteens on the other hand, interest in sex is normal according to the US Centres for Disease Control. The number one rule is not to hide the reality of sex or associate it with shame.

The CDC says in surveys carried out with teens, the youngsters reported that their parents are the ones who have the greatest influence over their decisions about sex “more than friends, siblings, or the media.”

In addition, most of the young respondents said, “they share their parents’ values about sex, and making decisions about delaying sex would be easier if they could talk openly and honestly with their parents.”

The agency encourages parents to:

  • identify unique opportunities to have what may be awkward conversations with your teen in places like the car where they can hear what you have to say without making eye contact.
  • Have frequent conversation and avoid overreacting when your children confide in you.
  • Importantly, parents should set ground rules, speak to your teens about your own expectations for them when it comes to sex.

In addition, parents should see their children as complete and whole individuals who can be hurt or put off by their attitude and communication skills.

Try not to punish your child for confiding in you as this may be a deterrent in the future, reiterate that they are loved, cared for and trusted.

Do not ever brush off reports of assault from your child.

Finally there are several signs to look out for in teens and children if you suspect they may have experienced or are experiencing sexual, harassment assault or rape.

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) says It’s not always easy to spot signs of sexual assault in children that, parents caregivers, doctors, teachers, pastors, sisters, brothers and friends are advised to look out for,

  • Sexually transmitted infections
  • Signs of trauma on or around the genitalia
  • Keeping secrets are not talking as much as usual
  • Suddenly being afraid to be separated from parents or primary caregivers
  • Reappearance of behaviors like bed wetting or thumb sucking
  • Sexual behavior inappropriate for the child’s age
  • Trying to avoid removing clothing
  • Increased aggression
  • Self-harm
  • Excessive worry or fearfulness

In addition to those signs, the organization says there are indicators of who can are those potential perpetrators or threats to your children.  Keep a keen eye on adults who, try to be a child’s friend rather than playing an adult role in their life or grown-ups who spend time alone with children outside of their role in the child’s life or makes up excuses to be alone with the child.

Also a red flag, adults who express unusual interest in child’s sexual development, such as commenting on sexual characteristics or sexualizing normal behaviors:

A warning sign too is adults who give a child gifts without occasion or reason; spend a lot of time with your child or another child you know and restricts a child’s access to other adults.

Advice from professionals for individuals who may suspect children are being abused is to trust your gut and get professionals involved.

Bahamas News

Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

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Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.

The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.

With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.

Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.

Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.

Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!

After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.

The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.

At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.

Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.

Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.

The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.

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Bahamas News

 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival.                                                                                                                                                                              Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.

As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.

Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole, with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.

Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.

Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the listening booth.

Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.

For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!

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Bahamas News

CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

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Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.

Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.

The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members.  Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.

Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine.  To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.

On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking in the comfort of the chic lounge.  In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.

The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.

To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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