February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month but to raise the most awareness of teen dating violence it’s important to have conversations with your children year round.
Child Crisis Arizona’s “A Guide to Healthy Teen Dating” course offers some tips on building a relationship with your teen to lower their probability of being involved in a violent relationship. Prevention is the key when it comes to teen dating violence.
Keep communication open.
Many parents feel like their teens don’t want to talk to them or hang out with them. That’s normal. That’s why it’s important to start early, looking for opportunities to connect with your child. Find an activity your child enjoys that you can do together and make it a priority to do that. If your child likes video games—join in. If your child enjoys bike rides—hop on a bike. Whatever it is, use it as an opportunity to ask questions about their life and connect. Talk about the little things so they’ll be more open to talk about the big things.
Identify healthy examples.
Use the media to bring up topics around dating and respect. Point out examples in movies and TV shows and talk about why those relationships are healthy or unhealthy.
Talk about warning signs.
Most people don’t realize they are in an unhealthy relationship until it’s serious. Talk with your kids early on, even before they begin dating, about some possible warning signs. Talk about what respect looks like and how a partner should make you feel. Abuse doesn’t have to be just physical. Let your teen know if they ever feel put down by their partner or their partner encourages them to dismiss longtime friends, that’s a red flag.
Model healthy relationships.
We are our child’s best teacher. Even when you think you are not setting an example, they are watching. Take stock of your own relationships to make sure you’re setting a good model for your child. Even work and friend relationships matter. It’s important that children and teens see good conflict resolution skills in action.
Build a strong community.
Children and teens with a strong support system are less likely to be involved in a violent relationship. Help your child identify strong role models they can lean on whether it’s through a church, a sport or any other hobby.
Build self-esteem.
Words matter, especially to children. Find ways early and often to build their self-esteem. When a teen knows their worth they are less likely to become a victim.
As a parent, you want to do anything to protect your child. If you start to notice any drastic changes whether it’s grades, eating habits, clothes or friends, it’s smart to monitor those things and talk about what’s going on. Try not to make accusations but remind your child that they can always come to you for help and acceptance.
You can find these tips and many more through Child Crisis Arizona’s Family Education courses.
