As the teen years hit a young adult their mind begins to change. Problems arise such as makeup, peer pressure, and above all, dating. While drugs and alcohol really are the key issues, parents should always be aware that of who their kids are dating, how things are going, as well as all the other issues. In a male teen the hormones are at their peeks and boys are looking for girlfriends left and right. While in girls the hormones are more tolerant, peer pressure sets in. Suddenly every other girl in the school has a boyfriend and girls feel the need to have a boy in their life to fit in with the rest of the group. While there are many good relationships that form, there are also other teenagers who take their partner for granted thus making the relationship a needless one. What are parents to do? Well, below are the five things every parent must know in order to insure their son or daughter’s happiness in the world of teenage dating.
1.) Find out why your teen has chosen to be with this person: Are they nice, kind, caring? What specifically is it that attracts your teen to their partner? Parents should know hat some teenagers go out with their boyfriends/girlfriends strictly due to peer pressure. They talk it over with their friends and if the friends agree that this guy or girl is great then the teen feels the need to go out with them in order not to let down his or her peers.
2.) Meet your teen’s partner: The key here is to just meet them for a friendly lunch or so, do not start an interrogation thus embarrassing both your teen and their partner. Usually having a ten minute talk with your teen’s partner will let you in on about ninety percent of what they are all about. You will be able to tell whether they will be caring based on the tone of voice and use of words in their dialogue. Best of all, you’ll get to see how the couple interacts in person, meaning how they feel for each other from a side view.
3.) Talk to the parents: You are both adults and thus can have adult conversations. Ask the partner’s parents what their stances are on drugs, sex, dating, curfew, and any other issue that might concern you. By getting to know what the other parent’s stance on these issues you will feel safer letting your child spend time at that house. You will know that the other parents are just as worried about some issues as you are and thus feel safe that they will moderate the environment while your teen is over there.
4.) Find out about what activities your teen is planning on during their dates: Movies? Baseball games? Underage drinking? There are literally hundreds of things a teenage couple can do without getting in trouble with the law and obeying their parents. Make sure your teen has a cell phone and periodically checks in with you on how things are going and where they are. Also, be strict on plan changes. If your teen’s plans change they have to call immediately to tell you where they will be, with whom, and for how long.
5.) Most importantly, talk to your teen: Lets face it, we can’t control them all the time. What most parents are in denial of is the cold hard truth : If they want to, they will. If your teen truly wants to take drugs there is little you can do to stop them. Same thing applies to sex, drinking, and any other activities you do not approve of. This is why the best thing you can do is talk to your teenager early and often. Let them talk and listen to what they think. They will respect you more because you treated them as an adult and you will respect them more because they were honest and straightforward with you.
There is little you can do to stop your teen from being involved in certain activities if that is truly their goal. You can however talk to them about it. Even if they are young, their first relationship could blossom to be one of the best in their life. I personally am still with my high school sweetheart and I love every moment of it. We were respectful, kind and caring to each other then as we still are now. Just because they are young does not mean they will fail, but following they steps above will help you become more secure as you will know where and how the relationship is going. Parents, it’s a tough world out there, but you can make it easier on your teen and yourself. Just try, and all they can do is the same.
