How to Encourage Responsible Teen Dating?

Public Comments

1. Follow them everywhere!
2. Keep a big tray of contraceptives by the front door!
3. educate them w/ regards to sex or pre marital sex its obvious fall out & everything.
4. Establish good communication...if you haven't been doing this throughout your child's life, it's hard to expect it once they are teenagers. Set rules and consequences. For example, maybe allow group dating at first, and if the teen handles that in a responsible way, give them more privileges.
5. The only thing a parent can do is suggest a way of life. My hubby's family raised him strict christian and he got something form his first encounter and I have had sex since 8 yrs. and never got anything other than a baby. A parent must be supporting at all times, let your child know that if they do have sex you would like to hear about it, kinda like you would be proud and want to hear the details. This gives you an oportunity to say things like, "how did that make you feel that you didn't use protection?" or just "how did that make you feel?'. These sorts of questions give the child an opportunity to say how they felt without being judged. And then they can dicide not to repeat a negative experience without it being their parents idea. Best wishes
6. That depends on what you mean by responsible. If you ar wanting them to use protection when they have sex = take them to a doctor or clinic. If you are refering to abstanance - Josh McDowell as well as many other Christian writers have books on the subject. Either way - the best advice would be to try to have an open line of contact. Encourage your child that you have faith in them and they are an outstanding person. Let them hear you say often how much you love and believe in them. Talk to them about their being a valuable person and making choices for their benefit. Then having done your best = realize they have their own mind and you are not responsible for all their decisions. If they stray away - love them anyway, enforce your rules - dont cowwer down... and know that one of these days they will remember the love and the things you taught them. Kathy