Today’s blog is written by Jennifer O’Shields, Safe Homes/Rape Crisis, Education Director
Parents are back to school ready! But are we ready for new relationships, heartbreak and the roller coaster ride of teen dating? Right now, your teen is forming relationships that set the stage for future relationships. Given that 1 in 5 high schoolers experience dating violence, you’ll want to be sure you do your part to help your child understand what a healthy relationship feels and looks like. People define relationships in many different ways, but for a relationship to be healthy you need:
- Safe Communication
- Trust
- Boundaries
- Mutual Respect
- Encourage open, honest, and thoughtful reflection. Talk openly with teens, rather than dismissing ideas as “wrong”.
- Be sensitive and firm. Be willing to talk openly and respect differences of opinion.
- Understand teen development. Adolescence is all about experimentation. From mood swings to risk taking, “normal teenage behavior” can appear anything but normal.
- Teens face new and increasing pressures about sex, substance abuse and dating. Take the time to listen to them and help them think through the situations they face.
- Make sure teens know how you feel about disrespect, use of abusive or inappropriate language, controlling behavior, or any forms of violence.
- Use TV episodes, movies, music lyrics, news, community events or the experiences of friends to discuss healthy and unhealthy relationships.
- Teach teens how to stand-up for friends when observing unhealthy treatment of peers.
- Have conversations that address and promote healthy relationships.
- Be an active participant in your young teen’s life.
- Be prepared that you and your teen will make mistakes, but continue to help teens make responsible choices.