Five Teen Dating Advice for Valentineʼs Day
Published for the Family and Parenting Section on February 14, 2011 by Examiner.com
Sometimes teens never receive proper guidance in dating, because no one expects them to have romantic relationships at such a young age. But, anyone could meet the right person any time in life, including during our adolescent years. In honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month this February 2011, below is a small list of dating advice for teens in romantic relationships.
Remember to follow these 5 steps with the knowledge of my best intentions to keep the relationship alive, and properly build a strong foundation for you and your partner.
- Less is more.
Do not add any more variables in your relationship at such a young age. Sex, for example, could be detrimental to your future. If intercourse happens in heated moments and teen pregnancy becomes the result of sexual contact, there are too many repercussions for sex until teens are forced to mature too early. Youth lost at such a young age proves to decrease success and satisfaction of life.
2. Quality time involves character building.
Attraction comes easily, and it is very important, but when your relationship involves only kissing and sex, without the foundation of belief, trust, and most of all, love, your foundation is too weak to sustain any squabbles coming your way. Could you speak with your partner about justice, law, truth, love, and forgiveness? Besides, what brings two people together isn’t the physical attraction, its common grounds. Although physical attraction is most noticeable in chemistry between two people, but at the end of the day, you need a good team mate not a sex partner.
3. Spend time with your loved one outside!
Take time to get out and see your partner in their lowest and highest points of their lives, outside! Seeing them tired and out of breath brings acceptance and camaraderie to want to keep up with each other. Be natural with each other, bringing pure and untainted support for each other while running, rafting, or just hiking up the trail. Celebrating each otherʼs presence under the sun is amazing for the heart, health, and mind, and brings a bond for two people. For once, you will enjoy each other without the pressure of people, style, popularity, school, and vanity. Enjoy each otherʼs presence and help each other out!
4. See your partner in a positive light (or be proud of your partner).
Often teens are still developing their foundations or ethics, and are at the age of competition for popularity at school. Sometimes fashion, style or trends are deemed more important than bringing out the best character in themselves. Can you work with your partner to bring out the best in her? Would you still like your partner if one day he shows up to school in a junky first car? Acceptance is a huge portion of your relationship. If you feel you are not proud of, or cannot be proud of the person you are involved with, then itʼs not a relationship, itʼs a pity-party. Please remember everyone walks different strides in life, and during your developmental years, you will need someone who can be positive and supportive in your walk as a teen and loves you for who you are.
5. Be honest with mistakes and mis-communications.
Open communication drops complacency of the relationship or ignorance of true feelings, and open communication would help to talk out emotions during miscommunication that could often lead to violence. Speak to your partner about your true emotions, about what makes you tick and how you loathe certain things. What makes you happy and what you love about each other. Talk about how imperfect you both are, but something is helping you both through. Talk about how you are perfect for each other, and if there is room to grow in getting to know each other. If need be, bring mediation for the process if problems occur, such as your parents, or teachers. If there are too many things you donʼt like about your partner, ask these wise guides for support of what to do and what you need to do to improve the relationship. Happy Valentine’s Day 2011, and please reserve good thoughts for each other to build unforgettable memories, relationships, friendships, and life long connections.
http://www.cdc.gov/features/chooserespect/
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