Before Someone Else Does: How Dads Talk to Their Kids About Sex and Dating

An interview with Pastor Casey Coats, cLife Church, Rockwall, TX.
The earlier you start talking to your kids about sex and dating, the better — and most dads start way too late. Pastor Casey Coats and his wife Lauren — a licensed professional counselor — have four kids and a front-row seat to what happens when parents lead this conversation early and intentionally. In this episode, Casey shares the practical framework they've used from the earliest ages to build a home culture where nothing is off-limits, fear doesn't drive the conversation, and God's design for sexuality is woven into everyday life — long before the teenage years arrive. Casey opens up about his own story, his values for sons vs. daughters when it comes to dating, the annual milestone trips that create space for the real conversations, and what he'd tell any dad who has a 12-year-old and hasn't started yet. This isn't about having one perfect talk. It's about being the first voice your kid hears — and keeping that door open for life.