Any parent of a teenager knows how challenging it can be when a teen becomes interested in dating. Caring parents try to do all they can to be there for a child who has questions or wants to discuss anything. It's sometimes hard for parents to find a balance between hovering over a teen and giving them too much freedom. After all, guiding teens into the dating world is an unfamiliar experience for many parents. Teenagers want to date for a variety of reasons. Some teens date because they see their friends beginning to date and don't want to be left behind. Other teens date because they feel a closeness with someone or feel understood by the person. One of the most important things for parents to remember is to communicate with their teen. Many teens will not admit it, but a parent's input plays a significant role in their lives. Though many parents dread this time in their child's life, there are plenty of helpful resources to answer their questions and concerns. Furthermore, a parent who is new to dealing with this situation can benefit from the experiences of parents who have successfully navigated those challenging teen dating years!
The Desire For Romance, Why Does Your Young Person Feel This Way?There is not a specific age when teenagers begin to date. Level of maturity, peer pressure, hormones, and the desire to find someone to have a close relationship with are all reasons why teenagers begin to date. Furthermore, parents should realize that dating during the teenage years serves a useful purpose. Dating helps a young person begin to recognize what he or she wants in a permanent relationship later on in life.
Parents may benefit from listening to how their teen feels about dating. For example, is he or she dating because of peer pressure? If parents find this to be the case, they can talk with their teen about waiting until he or she feels ready to date. In addition, a set of rules is a good idea for teens that are dating. Parents must set up expectations for the teen and, most importantly, be there to talk with their child about any problems or conflicts that come up. A parent who looks at dating from their teenager's point of view will be better able to understand what their teen is going through. And for all those worried parents out there, remember, knowledge is power.
Parents who talk with their teens about dating are able to help their child if any problems occur. Alternatively, if parents don't communicate with their teen they may not recognize a problem that the teen is having in a relationship. Teens who can talk to their parents about anything will feel supported and develop self-confidence. It's important for parents to talk with their teens about dating in a non-judgmental, open way. By keeping a line of communication open, both parents and teens will feel more at ease about the situation.
Oftentimes, parents who have been through the dating years with a teenage child have a lot of advice to offer other parents. They are familiar with the questions and issues that can come up and how to handle them. Most importantly, they have learned what works and what doesn't work when it comes to communicating with a teenager. A parent who asks another more experienced parent for advice will often find comfort and reassurance.