October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but any day is the PERFECT day to talk to your teen about dating violence.  Teens often times have difficulty understanding what love really is and many parents have trouble having the “Tough Talk” but it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable if you teach your teen that

Love is a RAP:

R-Love is Respect and is displayed when two people hold each other’s feelings and thoughts in high esteem.

A: Love is an Action.  It is easy to say the words, “I Love You” but love is more easily recognized by how a person is actually treated.  Teach teens that when some uses the word “love” it should be backed up by actions of respect and value. 
 
P: Love is a Partnership.  A real relationship is one where two people have equal input in the decisions that are made concerning the relationship.  This can be as small as deciding on the movie that will be seen on a date or whether or not the couple should have sex.
 
It may be hard to talk about relationships with your “baby,” but keep in mind that when you teach your son or daughter that Love is a RAP is like giving them a three-point test to measure their relationships.   It’s simple, if it doesn’t feel right or look right…it probably isn’t right and it is okay to end the relationship.  However, when we are respected, we feel it by the actions of another person, and then we are able to see that it is a true partnership.
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For more information on dating violence visit:
www.loveisnotabuse.com/made |   www.loveisrespect.org
www.lovedoesntleavebruises.info | www.toughtalkwithtamika.com

Written by Tamika Hall, Bestselling Author of, “Love Doesn’t Leave Bruises! A Young Woman’s Guide to Conquering Dating Violence.” Visit her online at: www.lovedoesntleavebruises.info.
 


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