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So your teenager is all grown up, (or so they think) and they’re ready to date. What’s a nervous parent to do? First off, don’t be nervous. After all it was bound to happen. Dating is a great time for boys and girls to learn how to negotiate the tricky waters of romance. With a little parental guidance, teens can learn their likes and dislikes, how to be assertive yet giving and how to get through their formative dating years with their self-confidence intact. Here some tips for both parents and teens.
#1 Go Slow
It’s imperative that both boys but especially girls feel self-confident before they date. If not, they can get into trouble. If a teen isn’t ready, let them know it’s perfectly fine to remain single and hang out with their friends.
#2 Make sure feelings are reciprocal
There’s nothing worse than the feeling of unrequited love. And unlike a romance novel, this is real life. Let teens understand that just because someone doesn’t share the same feelings, it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with them. Chasing someone who isn’t interested just sets them up to question their own esteem.
#3 Tell them to listen to their instincts
If something feels uncomfortable, let them know it’s OK to back off or say no. Teach girls how to avoid unwanted sexual advances and teach your boys that having sex does not make them cooler or more masculine.
#4 Talk about sex
It may make you uncomfortable, but it’s of utmost important to have the sex talk. Tell them that oral sex and anal sex is still sex. Educate them on safe sex, STDs, and pregnancy. Most kids having unsafe sex or getting pregnant are doing so because they don’t know any better. From an emotional standpoint, girls ought to know that having sex with a boy will not make him stay and for boys, no means no. |
