The Sprite Bottle and the Condom: A Dad’s Guide to Having “The Talk” Without Losing Your Mind By Sharif Colbert | LifeCoachATL

I remember the first time I sat my teenage son JC down to talk about sex.

He was probably around 15. I called him in the room, tossed him a box of condoms, and told him to put one on a 22-ounce bottle of Sprite. He looked at me like I had completely lost my mind.

“Go ahead,” I said. “Put it on there.”After some hesitation—and a whole lot of side-eye—he did. Then I hit him with the line:

“Don’t ever tell me a condom don’t fit. If it can go over that bottle of Sprite, I know it can fit on you.”

We laugh about it now, but back then? He was red in the face. It was awkward, uncomfortable, and exactly what needed to happen. Because the truth is, if I didn’t talk to him about sex, somebody else would. And that somebody probably wouldn’t care about his emotional growth, his health, or his future.

At LifeCoachATL, I work with dads who want to build stronger relationships with their kids—especially around the tough topics like sex, consent, and growing into manhood. And let me tell you: there is no perfect way to have this conversation. But avoiding it? That’s not an option.

For Me, “The Talk” Was About More Than Sex

Sure, talking to your son about condoms and protection is important. But when I had that conversation with JC, I wasn’t just teaching him about safe sex. I was grieving a little too—because that’s the moment I realized: my baby boy wasn’t a baby anymore.

When I found out he was actually out here humpin’? Man, I cried. I’m not ashamed to say it. I knew once he crossed that line, everything would shift. His chest puffed up. He started talking back. You know the routine—he thought he was grown. And in a way, part of him was.

We went through a tough patch. But what brought us back was honest conversation, me showing up consistently, and him seeing that I was trying to grow as a father. That Sprite bottle moment is something he still talks about today.

Dads, Here’s How to Talk to Your Son About Sex (Without It Being a Train Wreck)

If you’ve got a teenage boy (or one about to hit those years), here are four things that helped me—and can help you too:

1. Get Over the Awkward

It’s gonna feel weird. That’s okay. Push through it. You’re not supposed to have all the perfect words—just be real. Your son will remember the effort more than anything else.

2. Use Humor and Visuals

I’m serious—sometimes the shock value works. The Sprite bottle made a point that no long speech ever could. Laughter can actually open the conversation.

3. Make It a Series, Not a One-Off

Don’t treat “The Talk” like a checklist item. Let your son know you’re a safe space to come to with questions—today, tomorrow, next year.

4. Teach Respect, Not Just Protection

Condoms are one part of the equation. Talk to him about emotional maturity, consent, and what it means to be a man who respects himself and others.

Listen, I know it’s not easy. Most of us never had this kind of conversation with our own dads. But this is how we break the cycle. This is how we build better bonds with our kids. It’s not about being cool—it’s about being present.

At LifeCoachATL, I coach men through these exact situations—how to step up as a dad, especially when it feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar. If you're a father trying to figure it out, you're not alone. This is part of the journey.

So go ahead and have the talk. Throw in a bottle of Sprite if you have to.You’ll both survive it—and he’ll never forget it.

Introductory Free Coaching Session

Book Now