By Eleanor Beeslaar, Graduate Assistant As your kids get older and more mature, your conversations about consent can cover more complex topics. The pre-teen and teen years are a good age to discuss topics like coercion and manipulation, while also
Connecting with Teens: Be Honest About Your Feelings
Oftentimes, as parents, we try and shield our teens from our worries or anxieties to help protect them from further stress. However, by being honest about your own feelings and concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, you are creating a space
Connecting with Teens: Communicate Openly & Honestly
Many of us may be struggling to cope with the uncertainty and the changes that the COVID-19 pandemic brought to us all. Teenagers who were planning for proms, graduations, study abroad experiences, and memories with their friends, are now losing
Connecting with Teens: Help Them Stay Connected with Friends
This may sound counterintuitive for parents wanting to spend more time with their teens during social distancing. However, helping your teen stay in touch with their friends shows them that you are supportive of the things that are important to
Connecting with Teens: Do Things Together!
Many parents of teenagers find that their teens normally have very busy schedules and that time spent with their parents is not always the top priority. Being home with your teen gives you plenty of chances to do things together,
Talking to Teens about Healthy Dating Partners
By Eleanor Beeslaar, HRI Graduate Assistant A big part of developing healthy dating relationships is knowing what to look for in a dating partner. Though attraction is an important part of dating, it’s also important to find someone who embodies
Talking to Teens about Teen Dating Violence
By Eleanor Beeslaar, HRI Graduate Assistant Just like it’s important to talk to your teen about what healthy dating relationships look like, it’s also important to have a conversation about the different types of abuse and warning signs that indicate
Talking to Teens about Healthy Relationships
By Eleanor Beeslaar, HRI Graduate Assistant An important first step when talking to your teen about dating is sharing what a healthy relationship looks like. Start an open conversation with your teen, asking them what qualities they think make up
5 Tips for Building a Healthy Teen Relationship
As a teen, you may be starting to date for the first time in your life, or maybe you’ve been in romantic relationships before, but now you’re starting to build more serious relationships. You may be feeling excited, hopeful, and