Inspire HOPE

Open, engaged and informed conversations with trusted adults are just one of the many important steps required in fostering healthy relationships. February is #teendatingviolenceawareness month (TDVAM) and here are five simple conversation starter tips for parents, encouraging dialogue about relationship violence.

Just as common as it is to talk about #whatsfordinner, we have to engage our teens in conversations about dating. Research tells us that 81% of parents believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don’t know if it’s an issue. For many parents, conversations about dating and healthy relationships with our teens can feel awkward or in some cases we may convince ourselves that it is unnecessary because “that’s not an issue for us,” but I invite you to start the conversations anyway. The key is to spark conversation and not a deliver a lecture. 

So, pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, tear open your favorite cookie snack pack and start writing that letter to yourself. Don’t limit the planning to just the beginning of the year. Make it a habit and over time, watch those intentions become meaningful actions. You’ve got this and I have great hope for you throughout the entire year!