I have a bulk supply of condoms stored in our hallway closet, prominently displayed and easily accessible, with a few taken out so no one is counting or monitoring their usage. It’s as simple as grabbing a mint—take one, take two, or just take as needed.
I want the teenagers in my life to save their intimate moments for someone truly special, someone who will appreciate them deeply, not just until the parents return home. However, I understand that developing this perspective takes experience, and while they navigate these lessons, I want them to have all the information they need about sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, personal responsibility, empathy, and accountability—along with easy access to condoms. After all, the only thing safer than a condom is abstinence, and let’s be real, that ship has likely sailed.
The idea of having condoms on hand started when my daughters began to show interest in a particularly charming friend of my eldest. He was intelligent, athletic, and every parent adored him, ours included. Despite being a bit too short for my daughter’s taste, they had been friends since kindergarten.
That’s when I discovered he had a purity pledge card.
“YOUR WHAT???” I exclaimed.
“This,” he replied confidently, pulling a card from his wallet that bore his promise to wait until marriage to have sex. It was signed by himself and the priest. It looked like something you’d find at Sunday school.
This sweet, naive boy I had known for years, who still climbed trees and played games in our yard, was morphing into a dashing teenager, already attracting attention from older students. Yet all he had was that flimsy piece of paper for protection. I knew that when his hormones kicked in, that card wouldn’t save him.
“Listen, I’d like to give you something. Just in case,” I said, racing upstairs. The weekend was approaching, and I was eager to act quickly.
“Mommmmmm. Mom-mom-mom-mom. MOMMMMMY!!! DON’T… ” My daughter’s disgust morphed from a low growl to a full-blown alarm, alerting him to the impending sex-ed storm. Exactly what I hoped would happen.
“Your promise is great, really. But humor me.” I praised his intentions while maintaining my composure, descending the stairs slowly. “Please keep this in your wallet. Respectfully, on a hot summer night in the back of a minivan, that card won’t help you, but this might just save your evening—and your future. Just take it. It’s better to have a backup plan, just in case your promise doesn’t hold up.”
Word spread through the neighborhood, and soon there was playful teasing. But before long, kids began stopping by under the guise of returning forgotten items or just to chat. The box of condoms started to dwindle. It wasn’t a one-time event but a gradual process throughout their high school years—clearly, someone was using them. Safely, I might add.
By her final year, my daughter’s friends knew where to turn when promises were on the line. “Seriously, Mom. Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is that everyone comes to me for condoms, and I’m still a VIRGIN? Ugh, it’s mortifying.”
“Oh sweetheart,” I reassured her. “Just be patient. Your time will come. You’re headed to college soon. I’ll get you your own bulk pack to take with you. It’ll be worth the wait. Do you want me to make you a card?”
In addition to these reflections, those curious about fertility can also explore our other blog post on navigating the journey of artificial insemination here. For those in need of trustworthy information regarding fertility surgery, the Indiana Fertility Institute is an excellent resource found here. For comprehensive support on pregnancy and the home insemination process, check out this great resource here.
In summary, keeping a bulk supply of condoms at home not only promotes responsible behavior among teens but also fosters open dialogue about relationships and safety. It is vital to equip them with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate their formative years.