What tips do you have for healthy parenting? What happy and healthy memories do you have from childhood?

I remember:

+ Eating dinner as a family

+ Planting vegetables together in our garden

+ Time spent at the park, the pool, walking around the mall as a family

+ Being encouraged by my parents to have healthy dialogue and conversations

+ Being supported to follow my goals and dreams, and not be too disappointed by my failures

+ Having my voice valued and feeling safe to speak up!

Our relationship that we have with our parents is the first example of a relationship we ever get. Parents have big roles in their children’s lives and have a big impact on them as well. Therefore, the messages and the examples we set forth to our children guide them throughout their lives and their relationships. I want my children to have examples and messages of healthy love, supportive relationships, and that they are enough. This mentality is one that is shared by Mrs. Wheeler in Stranger Things. In the scene below, her daughter, Nancy is upset over some recent failures in her life, but Mrs. Wheeler knows just what to say to ensure her daughter knows that she is strong, important, and capable. Take a look at the link below.

 https://www.facebook.com/NetflixFamily/videos/361985274491704/?v=361985274491704

Specifically relating to Teen Dating Violence, it is essential that you, as a parent, are supportive,  have open ears and minds, respect them and their relationship, and take steps together.  

LISTEN & BE SUPPORTIVE

When your child is speaking, be supportive and don't accuse them. Let them know it's not their fault and that you don't blame them. It can be scary for teens to talk to parents about dating, so if they come to you and disclose what's happening, ensure them that you're a safe person and that you want to understand them without judgement.

Resist the urge to give them ultimatums. You want your child to be truly ready to walk away. Your child knows their relationship better than you do, and if staying in the relationship is what they decide right now, support them! Help them know you're still available when / if they decide to leave.

RESPECT THEIR RELATIONSHIP

Avoid phrases like, "This is why I told you not to date until you're older," or, "You're too young to be going through this," or, "It's not really love." Although this may be how you feel, your child's relationship is real and so is the abuse.

When you speak about the abuse, call out the behaviors, not the person. They may still be in love with the abuser, and talking bad about your child's dating partner will likely discourage them from asking for help in the future.

TAKE STEPS TOGETHER

When talking to your child about a safety plan or what to do next, it should be their decision. Ask what they want to do and how you can support them. If they aren't comfortable talking to you about it, help connect them with additional support, such as TAP808 or another local organization.

Be sure not to take steps they don't want, like forcing them to change schools or taking legal action. Don't forget, at the end of the day, it's their decision. 

It's never too early to start talking about HEALTY RELATIONSHIPS. Here are some ways you can get the conversation going.

• Teach them to consider and advocate for what they deserve in a healthy relationship (friendship or dating)

• Ask them what makes them feel loved or appreciated and how to reciprocate for others

• Encourage them to be honest about what they want or need, even when they're nervous

• Empower them to establish boundaries and what they're okay or not okay with

• Never force them to show or receive affection (even with family)

• Encourage them to make their own decisions about who and what they are comfortable with

• Normalize conversations about consent

• Teach them to always ask for permission and respect when the answer is no

• Have a conversation about what it means to respect others

• Create a safe space for them to discuss what they are seeing or experiencing on TV , in music, from their peers, in a dating relationship, etc.

• Teach them to listen to their gut feelings about situations and respect their instincts

• Promote healthy communication and listening skills

• Encourage them to be comfortable with their sexuality and how they choose to identify

• Equip them with the tools and skills to advocate for their classmates, friends, and community