Parents, it’s time to have a talk with your teenager about dating.
What are the rules and boundaries? What are you going to expect from them when it comes to relationships?
It can be tough setting guidelines, but it’s important to do so in order to help your teen develop healthy relationships as they grow older. Read on for some tips on how to set those boundaries.
But first, we’ll go over a popular question we received from a parent. We’ll answer the question and give you lots of tips to help you install better teenage dating etiquette in your home.
How To Have A Talk About Teen PDA
“I have a teenage boy who is completely smitten with his new girlfriend. I’m happy he is so excited, but we are all wincing from their PDA. Everyone around my son and his girlfriend is really uncomfortable.
I’m not sure how to approach him about this awkward situation.”
Below, you’ll find our answer to the question above.
Ahhh, the rite of passage for young love. Getting to experience all the firsts while being oblivious to the uneasy spectators.
Topics around sexuality are probably among the most uncomfortable to discuss with our kids, it feels easier to just let it go. However, my rule around any taboo subject with my kids is, “If not me, then who?” It’s up to us parents to establish open communication. Do it without apology.
Ideally, you’d have broken this delicate conversation seal long ago, when your child was young. Since you haven’t, here’s how you can go about it now:
- Express how happy you are your son found someone so special to share his time with. Be sure he feels you approve of his choice.
- Ask if he’s ever been around anyone showing major displays of affection publicly and how he felt about being immersed in their PDA sphere.
- Explain that you understand how it feels to have feelings for someone and how fun it is to connect, but those displays of affection are more appropriate in a private setting.
- Make clear you aren’t telling him he can’t have an affectionate relationship with his girlfriend, you simply don’t want to be privy to it in a shared space.
- If this is the first time you’ve discussed anything remotely close to sex, that’s an entirely new QA! Your child needs to know how to have self-respect, how to show respect to his partner, and how to take precautions for safety and prevention. Start that conversation now if it hasn’t been started yet.
Although this topic can be awkward, open lines of communication are crucial for your son to make his most informed decisions. Be available for the tough questions and be understanding of what your teen is going through. Try not to judge or lecture.
Teen Dating Rules
When it comes to teen dating, there are a few things that parents need to take into consideration. The first is the age of your child. It’s important to set guidelines early on and discuss what is appropriate for their age group. For example, younger teens should not be involved in serious relationships or PDA.
The second thing to consider is your child’s maturity level. Not all teens are ready to date, even if they’re the same age. It’s important to have a talk with them about what they want and expect out of a relationship before they start dating. This will help you gauge their readiness and set appropriate boundaries.
Once you’ve considered these things, it’s time to set some ground rules. First, talk about your expectations for dating. This may include how often they can go out, who they can go out with, and what kinds of activities are appropriate. It’s also important to discuss sex and relationships. Make sure your teen knows about contraception and the risks of sexually transmitted diseases. They should also know that you expect them to abstain from sex until they’re ready.
It’s also important to set boundaries when it comes to PDA. Let your teen know what is and isn’t acceptable in terms of public displays of affection. For example, you may not be okay with them kissing in public but holding hands is fine.
Finally, make sure your teen knows that they can always come to you with any questions or concerns about dating. Let them know that you’re there for them and that you want to help them navigate this new phase of their life.
Setting boundaries may seem like a daunting task, but it’s important to do so in order to help your teen develop healthy relationships. Use these tips to get started.
Final Thoughts On Teen PDA And Dating
Dating can be a fun and exciting experience for teenagers, but it’s important to set boundaries in order to make sure that they have healthy relationships. Parents should talk to their teens about what is appropriate for their age group and discuss their expectations for dating.
They should also set ground rules about things like PDA, sex, and relationships.
Finally, teens should know that they can always come to their parents with any questions or concerns. By following these tips, parents can help their teens have safe relationships.
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