BRG Launches The Chat to Help Families Educate Around Puberty and Sexuality

BATON ROUGE, La. – Baton Rouge General (BRG) is launching The Chat, bringing local families a comprehensive series of classes on puberty and sexuality geared toward 9–12-year-olds. BRG is the first hospital in the region to offer The Chat, which was developed by the company Great Conversations.

“Talking to your kids about puberty and sexuality can be uncomfortable, but it’s so important,” said Dr. Victoria Bourgeois, an OB/GYN at BRG. “It not only gives you a chance to reinforce your values, but it strengthens your relationship and builds trust as they enter a pivotal developmental period. As kids grow older, studies also show that teenagers who discuss sex with their parents are more likely to wait longer and more likely to use contraception when they do.”

“The Chat” classes are presented by pediatricians, pediatric nurses, health educators and social workers in a humorous, down-to-earth way while being factual and sensitive at the same time. They’re not your typical virtual class or meeting, and instead keep all ages engaged with interactive Q&A, videos, fun surveys and music.

“We were originally skeptical about offering a virtual class for this kind of subject matter,” said Meghan Parrish, vice president of marketing and communications at BRG. “But, we had some of our kids take the virtual class and it was such a good experience. It’s not a lecture and the kids don’t get bored. It’s interactive and gives kids and parents time to talk to each other as well as experts.”

The Chat includes a series of five classes that can be purchased individually for $30 or as a series for $110. While classes are designed for kids between 9-12 years old, they don’t have to be taken at the same time and can be spaced out however parents deem appropriate. Registration is now open for 2024 classes:

• Is Puberty Weird? An introduction to the puberty experience for everybody including body odor, pimples, hair, growth, gender, and voice changes.

• Body Basics: What most girls experience in puberty including breast development, periods, masturbation, and self-concept.

• More Body Basics: What most boys experience in puberty including erections, ejaculation, masturbation, and self-concept.

• Crushes, Consent and Other Conversations: How our brains change during puberty. Exploration of emotional regulation, decision-making, healthy conversations with family and friends, crushes, and consent.

• Our Sexual Selves: Being sexual, sexual reproduction, healthy relationships, and sexual decision-making.

Puberty education isn’t new to Baton Rouge General, as the hospital has offered classes for over five years through its Girl Talk and Boys to Men programs. The Chat builds on that foundation and brings additional conversations for families, even if they have attended a Girl Talk or Boys to Men class in the past. Major children’s hospitals like Seattle Children’s have piloted The Chat in their regions.

The classes are offered on various days and times to give families an option that works best for them.Depending on the class, they last 45 minutes to 1 hour.

For more information or to register, visit brgeneral.org/thechat. When registering, use code BRGENERAL.

About Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Baton Rouge General Medical Center is the area’s first community hospital with over 600 licensed beds between three campuses. Baton Rouge General opened its doors in 1900, and has provided the Greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality healthcare for generations. An accredited teaching hospital since 1991, Baton Rouge General is affiliated with several medical school programs, and offers other medical education programs, including a School of Nursing, School of Radiologic Technology, Family Medicine Residency Program, Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. For more information, visit BRGeneral.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BatonRougeGeneral and follow us on Twitter @BRGeneral and Instagram @batonrougegeneral.

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