Teen Dating – 13 Ways To Relax And Cope As A Parent
Is your teen dating or interested in dating? Have no fear! Here are 13 ways to relax and cope when your teen starts dating.
Hey my friend,
Let’s chat about teen dating!
As a mom of two teens, I can assure you that it’s completely natural for parents to sweat a little when their teens start dating.
But take a deep breath and calm yourself down as I am about to share with you some tips for relaxing while your child begins to date.
This post will help you get a sense of what’s in store so you can decide how you can best support your sons and daughters through all the excitement and heartbreaks ahead.
In general, budding romantic interests are likely to emerge when a child is about 12 to 14.
Starting at about the age of 15, they may be ready for a somewhat more intense personal relationship.
Your love and guidance can help them find their way around this new territory.
Managing Relationship Issues
TEEN DATING TIPS FOR PARENTS
TIP # 1 – Encourage group activities.
In recent years there’s been a positive trend towards young people congregating in larger numbers rather than pairing off too early.
This kind of socializing is great for letting kids get to know each other with less awkwardness.
There is less pressure for anyone to get too serious right off the bat when they are in a group setting.
TEEN DATING TIPS FOR PARENTS
TIP # 2 – Teach respect.
Be a good role model for understanding the value of life and honoring every human in this world. Take a look at your own relationships.
How do you speak to your partner if you have one?
How do you behave towards the opposite sex?
Raise children who are considerate of people’s feelings and hold themselves accountable for how they treat others.
TEEN DATING TIPS FOR PARENTS
TIP # 3 – Strengthen social skills.
Use entertaining at home or visiting relatives as a training opportunity.
Kids who are comfortable and courteous in a variety of settings will have an easier time relating to others.
Open up your home to others so that your children can see through example what is the appropriate ways to treat people in a healthy, loving relationship (and yes friendships count too!)
TEEN DATING TIPS FOR PARENTS
TIP # 4 – Examine what to look for in a partner.
Let kids know that physical attraction is a wonderful part of life.
At the same time, advocate for giving equal time to more enduring qualities like integrity and compassion.
Sure it is great if someone is super attractive on the outside but what will matter more in the long run is that they are kind and considerate on the inside too.
TEEN DATING TIPS FOR PARENTS
TIP # 5 – Start early.
If you know that dating is on the horizon, it’s fine to start having conversations about healthy relationships and what they look like.
Open communication is a long process rather than a single talk about intimacy.
Discuss sensitive issues with tact and provide age appropriate information.
Focus on values.
What are the values that are important to them and that they want to hold onto tightly?
Managing Safety Issues
TEEN DATING TIPS FOR PARENTS
TIP # 6 – Set a curfew.
Make it clear what time your child is expected home.
Require them to call you if there are any delays.
Having clear set boundaries will make it easier for both you and your teen to know when these boundaries have been overstepped.
TEEN DATING TIPS FOR PARENTS
TIP # 7 – Check in after school.
News alert – mischief can occur even when kids get together while it’s still light out.
If your child returns home while you’re still at the office, establish rules and a ritual for calling each other.
Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on things.
TEEN DATING TIPS FOR PARENTS
TIP # 8 – Declare trust in one another.
When it comes to the most serious issues, your family needs to know that they can have complete confidence in each other.
Let your kids know there’s no punishment as long as they tell you if they need a ride home after drinking or if they’ve been exposed to violence.
TEEN DATING TIPS FOR PARENTS
TIP # 9 – Monitor online communications.
Some relationships seem to be conducted entirely by text messages these days.
Stay up to date with online security including monitoring what privacy settings your kids are using on social media and letting them know that you may inspect their phone and text messages.
Consider keeping home computers in a public area.
Make it clear what is and isn’t appropriate to send their partners.
TEEN DATING TIPS FOR PARENTS
TIP # 10 – Meet your children’s friends.
Make it a habit for your child to introduce you to anyone they spend a lot of time with.
Ask them to give you their friend’s parent’s phone numbers if they are spending a lot of time at their house.
Get to know these friends if they are important people in your teen’s life.
Continue the same procedures with their dates.
It’s always better the devil you know!
Additional Suggestions
TEEN DATING TIPS FOR PARENTS
TIP # 11 – Appreciate your influence.
Even if your teens cringe at your weekend wardrobe and outdated slang, they still care what you think.
Use your powers for good.
They may actually be listening to you even when you think they aren’t.
TEEN DATING TIPS FOR PARENTS
TIP # 12 – Critique media influences.
Music videos and movies fail to give a very reliable depiction of love and romance.
Explain to your teens know what can be expected in a normal, healthy relationship.
Let them know that there may be ups and downs but it is important that their relationship is based on love, trust, honesty and respect.
TEEN DATING TIPS FOR PARENTS
TIP # 13- Bolster self-worth.
Children who feel valued are more resilient and equipped to make better choices.
They’ll also find it easier to set boundaries and have healthy interactions with others.
For that reason you should do what you can to bolster their self-worth.
Let them know that they are worthy AT ALL TIMES of being treated with dignity and respect.
Your teens deserve to be loved well and appreciated.
They don’t need to change their personality for anyone else.
They are perfectly imperfect just the way they are.
In the end, I encourage you to be there for your children as their first group outings and high school proms lay the foundation for their adult partnerships to come.
I know it can be hard to watch your teens growing up and slowly becoming adults but rest assured dating is a natural part of the process.
You can relax and take satisfaction by giving your sons and daughters the best head start you can possibly provide when it comes to love.
And that’s it for the best advice I can currently give you about teen dating.
Much love and best of luck,
Frances xxx
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I’m Frances Vidakovic – a mindset & action coach for quietly ambitious women who want to stop overthinking and finally take aligned action. I help women achieve their goals and follow through on what matters, without sacrificing their sanity or soul.