As your tween or teenager begins to mature and grow up, they will begin building relationships with the opposite sex. It is important for your child to have these relationships so that they can develop the communication and personal skills to develop healthy long term relationships for the future. As tempting as it is, parents you can’t tell your child that they can’t date until they are 30? You want them to have practice dating and setting boundaries while you are there to help guide them with difficult choices. Dating is a bit different now than it was when we were growing up. I know as a teenager, I didn’t have a cell phone or the Internet so that I could communicate with my friends or significant other online. In fact, most of my communication happened either face to face or on the telephone (which used to drive my own parents crazy) as a teenager.
Disclosure: This post is for informational purposes only. All opinions reflected in this post are my own and may differ from your own opinions.
Teenagers are Learning How to Date and Build Relationships
Remember that you were once a teenager and you went through the same things that they are going through. They too have to learn how to date and develop the ability to set their own boundaries in their relationships. At this point, most teenagers have a basic idea of how dating should be but most of them aren’t familiar with the compromises that come with relationships or within a marriage. Teens are observant and model things they see other teens are doing and they base their relationship knowledge off of the relationships that were modeled by their parents or whoever they grow up around. Now is the time to instill in your child the values that you want your teenager to hang on to when they are begin dating.
Comments
11 responses to “A Parents Guide: Surviving Your Teenager’s First Crush”
It’s going to be a few more years before my daughter hits her teen years. I’m dreading it, totally! But I guess if I arm myself with this knowledge, I could handle anything. Thanks for sharing.
Yes it is better to be educated beforehand and learn the importance of open communication now. 🙂
Very good tips. I love the tip of setting an escape route in case they end up in a dangerous or sticky situation. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you April. I think the escape route makes the feel that they can come to you no matter what the situation is.
Christy, another BEST OF Christy article~ 🙂 I value how you included so many necessary points such as boundaries, communication, morals, and the differences between love, dating, and sex. Thank you for being the dedicated mom, wife, friend, and Sister-In-Christ you are EVERY day~ XO Steph~
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. 🙂
p.s.- My dm’s aren’t working to reply to anyone 🙁 & I needed to talk w/you tonight although have zero cel signal to talk from hospital so I hope I can call you tomorrow~
Thank you for sharing. Those teen years are tough for kids, it’s great to set up an environment where both parent & child and speak about dating openly.
I agree Cynthia thank you for sharing.
I loved this article. My boys are little now–just 4 and 2–but I don’t think it’s ever too early to open the lines of communication with your kids. If they are comfortable talking to me now, and know I will listen, then I hope that relationship will follow us into their teenage years. Thanks for sharing!
I agree, starting now will pave the way for a great relationship going into those teenage years.