04:25
Faizan
Your teen might be so excited about a new relationship that she's not able to see that her partner is toxic or even abusive. As a parent, you have the benefit of years of relationship experience that your teen doesn't have, but don't expect her to welcome your advice. Instead, take a calm approach and expect some general defensiveness -- your teen might balk at your opinion, but it might be enough to help her understand more about healthy relationships.
Teach your teen about the facets of a healthy relationship as soon as she begins dating. A healthy teen relationship rests on qualities like mutual respect, autonomy, fairness, support and honesty, according to KidsHealth, a website of the Nemours Foundation. By teaching your teen about healthy relationships and modeling the behavior in your own, your teen is more likely to recognize the signs of an unhealthy relationship.
Observe your teen's relationship for a few weeks and record certain instances in which you felt the relationship was unhealthy, such as her partner limiting her social activities or using derogatory language. When you do begin the conversation with your teen, you'll have concrete examples to back up your concerns.
Approach the conversation in a calm, non-judgmental manner. While seeing your teen in an unhealthy or abusive relationship can make you concerned and even angry, approaching the subject too passionately can immediately put your teen on the defensive. Instead, wait for the right time when you'll be uninterrupted and can keep your cool when talking about the issue.
Question your teen's behavior and the behavior of your teen's partner. Ask if she feels respected and supported by her partner, or if she sometimes feels belittled, afraid or isolated in her relationship. This can start the discussion of what constitutes a healthy relationship.
Expect your teen to be defensive. Your teen doesn't want to think badly about her partner and may become upset at the thought of breaking up. If she gets upset or loses her temper, ask her to think about what you've said and you can talk again later. Indicate that you don't want her to be upset, but you do want what's best for her, which is to be valued and respected in a relationship.
Offer solutions for your teen to get out of the relationship. She may stay with a partner because she's afraid to break up or doesn't know how to sever the relationship. In an article for "Psychology Today," Raychelle Cassada Lohmann notes that by spending more time with other peers, getting involved in activities that take up a lot of time, communicating less or taking a direct approach, your teen can stop spending time with a toxic partner.
Teach your teen about the facets of a healthy relationship as soon as she begins dating. A healthy teen relationship rests on qualities like mutual respect, autonomy, fairness, support and honesty, according to KidsHealth, a website of the Nemours Foundation. By teaching your teen about healthy relationships and modeling the behavior in your own, your teen is more likely to recognize the signs of an unhealthy relationship.
Observe your teen's relationship for a few weeks and record certain instances in which you felt the relationship was unhealthy, such as her partner limiting her social activities or using derogatory language. When you do begin the conversation with your teen, you'll have concrete examples to back up your concerns.
Approach the conversation in a calm, non-judgmental manner. While seeing your teen in an unhealthy or abusive relationship can make you concerned and even angry, approaching the subject too passionately can immediately put your teen on the defensive. Instead, wait for the right time when you'll be uninterrupted and can keep your cool when talking about the issue.
Question your teen's behavior and the behavior of your teen's partner. Ask if she feels respected and supported by her partner, or if she sometimes feels belittled, afraid or isolated in her relationship. This can start the discussion of what constitutes a healthy relationship.
Expect your teen to be defensive. Your teen doesn't want to think badly about her partner and may become upset at the thought of breaking up. If she gets upset or loses her temper, ask her to think about what you've said and you can talk again later. Indicate that you don't want her to be upset, but you do want what's best for her, which is to be valued and respected in a relationship.
Offer solutions for your teen to get out of the relationship. She may stay with a partner because she's afraid to break up or doesn't know how to sever the relationship. In an article for "Psychology Today," Raychelle Cassada Lohmann notes that by spending more time with other peers, getting involved in activities that take up a lot of time, communicating less or taking a direct approach, your teen can stop spending time with a toxic partner.
Posted in: Teen Dating & Sex
