If you look around and listen to what TV, music, and friends tell your daughter, you will probably realize that they often feel like they have to have a boyfriend to be cool, cared about, and accepted. That’s just the way it is, right? Well, deep down not all girls feel this way. True, some can’t wait to get their parents’ permission to start dating, but others want to wait for the right guy, and some girls are honestly terrified. Wherever your teen is on the dating spectrum, follow these six tips to lessen the drama around dating and help them improve their relationships.
Tip #1 Remind them they don’t have to have a boyfriend to be cool
This is so important to believe, because if your daughter feels she must have a boyfriend to be cool, then she will either date the wrong guy in hopes of being cool, or she will feel miserable and really down on herself because the right guy hasn’t come along. This sets her up for failure from the beginning! Remind her that you really don’t need to have a boyfriend to be cool or to be accepted.
Tip #2 The best way to get the right guy is to be herself
Girls are tired of trying to be perfect. Girls are tired of trying to be the perfect size, have the perfect hair, and the perfect clothes. What if girls were able to just be themselves? This can feel impossible at times, especially when your daughter may feel different than everyone else. Instead, help her to focus on doing things she loves that bring a smile on her face. Does she love soccer? Dancing? Scrap booking? Playing guitar? Hanging with friends? What ever it is, help her do it! She will feel happier and be happier and when it’s the right time, she will find companionship in someone who has similar interests or who respects her for the things that make her unique.
Tip #3 Her safety is the most important thing
All parents are concerned about safety. It’s important to stress to your daughters and show them by example that relationships should be safe emotionally and physically. Remind her that this means her guy doesn’t put her down, call her names, push, hit, or hurt her in any way. He also doesn’t coerce her to have any kind of intimate contact that she is not comfortable with.
PREVIOUS PAGE
.gif){kind=icon}
