Every parent finds a tinge of discomfort when their teenage children take their first step into the dating world. The normal reaction is to become either upset or worried during these testing times where the parents are totally insecure whether the child is making the right choice or not.

One of the most vital aspects at this point of time is to treat your child like a friend and calmly deal with the situation. Talk with your child freely and be open to each other’s views. Give useful pointers and allow the child to assimilate what you are telling rather than commanding what he or she should do. Note that your child may not agree to everything of what you say and he may have built an opinion of his own about certain choices.

If you keep your relationship transparent and healthy, you may be able to know with whom your teenager is hanging out with. Do not judge every move of your child as it would be intrusive of his privacy and he may start hiding things or telling lies. Do not suspect your child or ask too many questions making him feel frustrated. Be careful to pass on any of your personal comments, opinions, feedbacks or observation on the relationship as it may become very embarrassing for your child.

You may definitely ask impersonally why your child liked the person he or she is dating, how the two of them met, how they are spending time, how are they planning to proceed forward and a lot more. Do not be too personal while asking questions and create any apprehensions between you and your child. Very soon, you may be surprised that your child will not have any hesitation to tell that he has scheduled a date on a relaxing Friday evening!

Advise them on safety tips about having a healthy relationship. Teach them on limits before taking it too far or too close. Explain the dangers of any sudden misunderstanding and how balancing both the couple’s perspectives are very important. You may even share something if you find things are going strange as long as it is just an informal opinion that you are expressing. But do not start criticizing the relationship or the person who your child is dating. He may find it very insulting.

Talk with them at times on cases which were a there is a huge success or ended up in shocking failures. Make your child get prepared for any situation and help him take things on his stride as it comes. You may also allow your teenage kid to express his opinions on the subject. You may be surprised that he may help you broaden your perspectives and start thinking differently.

Many parents find it dreading to start conversing about safe sex and the precautions you need to take. In fact, this is an inhibition every parent has to necessarily come out of. You should in fact talk about it several times at different levels for the child to understand the issues clearly.

Lastly, remember that just like your teenage days, your child would also be interested in having fun with his youth. Generally, girls show more interest in openly talking about this subject at an earlier age.

Mark Perry

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