Teen Relationships!

Teen RelationshipsHow to survive adolescence

Teen Relationships

What: Skills for developing healthy relationships

Why: Life-long Learning, Communication, Responsible Citizen, Problem Solving

Healthy Relationships

What Makes a Healthy Relationship?1. Mutual RespectRespect in a relationship means that each person values who the other is and understands the other persons boundaries.

What Makes a Healthy Relationship?2. Trust

What Makes a Healthy Relationship?3. HonestyIts tough to trust someone who isnt being honest. If you have ever caught someone you trust in a lie it is difficult to believe that person the next time they tell you something.

What Makes a Healthy Relationship?4. SupportIts not just in bad times that others around you should support you. In a healthy relationship, the person is there with a shoulder to cry on when things are tough AND to celebrate when things are good.

What Makes a Healthy Relationship?5. Separate identitiesIn healthy relationships: Everyone needs to make compromises. You each have your own life (family, friends, interests, hobbies) and that shouldnt change. Dont pretend to like something you dont, or give up things you love. You are free to keep developing new talents or interests, making new friends, and moving forward.

What Makes a Healthy Relationship?6. Good communicationBe open & honest about your feelings and what is going on with you. Saying, Nothing is wrong when there really is causes miscommunication. Never keep a feeling bottled up because youre worried its not what the other person wants to hear or you worry about sounding silly.

It you need time to think things out just ask for it. The right person will give you time.

The Big Break-UpLet It OutShare your feelings. Some people find that sharing their feelings with someone they trust helps. Talking over how you feel can help. If you feel like someone can't relate to what you're going through, find someone more sympathetic to talk to. (Sharing feelings can be tough for guys, but you can talk with a friend or family member, a teacher, or counselor. Maybe a female family member or friend, like an older sister or a neighbor, to talk to.)

The Big Break-UpDon't be afraid to cry. Going through a break-up can be really tough, and getting some of those raw emotions out can be a big help. This is another tough one for guys, but there's no shame in crying now and then. No one has to see you do it you don't have to start blubbering in class or at soccer practice or anything. Just a find a place where you can be alone, like crying into your pillow at night or in the shower when you're getting ready for the day.

What Can I Do?Be Kind to YourselfRemember what's good about you. This one is really important. Sometimes people with broken hearts start to blame themselves for what's happened. They may be really down on themselves, exaggerating their faults as though they did something to deserve the unhappiness they're experiencing. If you find this happening to you, nip it in the bud! Remind yourself of your good qualities, and if you can't think of them because your broken heart is clouding your view, get your friends to remind you.Take good care of yourself. A broken heart can be very stressful so don't let the rest of your body get broken too. Get lots of sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly to minimize stress and depression and give your self-esteem a boost.

What Can I Do?Do the things you normally enjoy. Whether it's seeing a movie or going to a concert, do something fun to take your mind off the negative feelings for a while.Keep yourself busy. Sometimes this is difficult when you're coping with sadness and grief, but it really helps. This is a great time to redecorate your room or try a new hobby. That doesn't mean you shouldn't think about what happened working things through in our minds is all part of the healing process it just means you should focus on other things too.Give yourself time. It takes time for sadness to go away. Almost everyone thinks they won't feel normal again, but the human spirit is amazing and the heartbreak almost always heals after a while. But how long will that take? That depends on what caused your heartbreak, how you deal with loss, and how quickly you tend to bounce back from things. Getting over a break-up can take a couple of days to many weeks and sometimes even months.

Unhealthy Relationship?Look for the signs:Changeable changing like the weather or playing games ControllingEmotional manipulation jealousy, guilt tripConsistently puts other things or people firstDismissive of your feelingsBrings you down instead of lifts you up

Look for the signs:Is the person mean, disrespectful, controlling, or abusive?Does the person get angry if you dont drop everything for him or her?Keep you from seeing friends or talking to other guys or girls?Try to talk you into something you dont want to do?

These are warning signs. Do NOT stay in a relationship that involves abusive behavior of any kind. This includes physical, verbal, and emotional abuse.

Make Good Choices

ConsequencesYou get to make your own choices, but you dont usually get to choose the consequences of choices.