From the moment you hopped on the emotional rollercoaster of motherhood, you’ve only ever wanted the best for your child. You’ve likely imagined a wonderful life for them, filled with a loving partner and a bustling home. The trouble is that it seems like only yesterday they were a baby in your arms. Now, they’re diving headfirst into their first teen relationship, and you don’t have a clue what to do.
Fear not. We’ve got you covered with these top tips for navigating the parental side of puppy love.
Step 1: Get to Know their New Partner
Your teen is madly in love, and they’ll be keen for you to fall in love with their partner, too. So, invite that person over for dinner, or ask if they’d like to accompany you all on a family outing. Take this time to get to know them, and look for positives, rather than just their potential to hurt your baby. The better able you are to get along with that partner, the less likely you’ll all experience tension down the line.
Step 2: Set Fair Boundaries
We’ve all been young and in love, and we’ve all rallied against strict rules about no boys at home. Instead of pushing your teen away with harsh boundaries, be fair, and set age-appropriate rules, such as open-door policies or planned sleepovers, instead of outright bans. Equally, try to keep these boundaries consistent by speaking with the parents of your teen’s partner, and working together to make sure that everyone’s on the same page.
Step 3: Keep the Lines of Communication Open
Getting your teen to communicate can be tough, but they’re also likely dying to tell you about their relationship. Let your teen talk about their new love without jumping in with parental judgments. Simply listen and ask gentle questions. This ensures that your teen will feel comfortable telling you if they experience relationship difficulties, or even if they feel ready to take things to the next step. In each instance, you’ll be in a better position to offer advice, remain aware of what’s going on, and ultimately help your teen.
Step 4: Support Them No Matter What
Teen love can be heady and fun, but it’s also a platform for early mistakes like messy arguments, dishonesty, and even accidental pregnancy. As a parent, your main job is to support your teen and let them know that you’re there through whatever happens. In most cases, this help will take the form of holding them as they cry through their first heartbreak. In some instances, it may also include helping them to find teenage pregnancy support groups near you, or taking them to a sexual health clinic if they require it.
By being there in any capacity they need, you make it far more likely that your teen will survive this heartbreak and any other, and that they’ll grow into the loving, wonderful partner that you know they can be.
Puppy love might not look so cute to the parents, but you can make this a positive experience for your teen when you follow these tips.