National Teen Dating Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month

     President Obama officially declared February 2011 as "National Teen Dating Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month"!  1 in 3 teens will be in an abusive dating relationship by the end of high school and 20-25% of college women will experience attempted or completed rape during college.  Dating violence has become a national health crisis and is infecting our country at alarming rates. 
     What can you do as a parent?
The most important thing you can do as a parent is to talk to your child about what a healthy relationship is and is not.  You should be closely monitoring your child's dating relationship- periodically checking their FB page, text messages, and e-mails to make sure that they are being treated nicely.  No one should EVER be mean to you, tell you what to do, what to wear, and who to hang out with.  No one should ever text you a million times a day trying to control and know your every move.  No one should ever physically harm you, sexually make you do things you do NOT want to do, or verbally say mean things to you like "You are fat, no one would ever want you besides me, you're a slut, etc".  A big RED FLAG for parents that your child is in an abusive dating relationship is when they stop hanging out with their friends & family, they stop doing things they once loved- sports, hobbies, activities, and they start spending ALL of their time with their boyfriend or girlfriend or constantly texting/talking on the phone/computer.  Another big RED FLAG for parents is when they fight with their boyfriend/girlfriend all of the time and are crying or upset more often than not.
     What can kids do?
If you find yourself or your friend in an abusive dating relationship, then you need to tell someone immediately.  No one deserves to be treated badly.  That is NOT love.  When you are in a healthy relationship the other person is always nice to you and treats you with respect.  They are NEVER mean and they NEVER say mean things and make you feel bad.  A good person to talk to is a parent, guidance counselor, or relative.  The most important thing you can ever learn is how to have healthy relationships, whether it is with yourself, your family, friends, or boyfriends and girlfriends.  Relationships are the foundation of our lives.
     I hope you will take some time this month and TALK about TEEN DATING ABUSE.  Education is the key to prevention.  Everyone deserves to be in a healthy & happy relationship! xoxo

***Have you read "TEEN TALK FOR PARENTS", "7 SECRETS FOR GIRLS", or "SAFE DATING FOR COLLEGE WOMEN"?  Do you know the RIGHT way to handle these important issues?  Get your copy today at http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/ and find out how to protect your children or yourself!
In your safety,
Dari Dyrness-Olsen
http://www.safedatingcoach.com/