Teenagers in Love?

"Mom, I think I'm in love,"  is a statement that sends chills through many parents bodies, but whether your child is 16 or 26 it can and does happen.   Love can strike a teenager just as it can this 37 year old woman writing this blog.  It's the feeling people get when they think about another person all the time, when the skin is covered with goosebumps just seeing that person, and the stomach begins to churn with that soft touch.  

Love may not be the same at 16 years old as it is at my advanced age, but nonetheless it is a feeling that hopefully we all have experienced and will continue to experience thoughout our lives.  When our teens say these words, we should embrace their feelings and understand that they are becoming young adults.  Talk to your teen, ask them what they think "love" means and what it means to them.  It may only be a one week love or a one month love, but it also could be a love that lasts for several years or even longer.  

Does love mean sex?  Not always!  Depending on your teenager, love may not be anymore than holding hands or a soft kiss.  Love may just mean they want to enjoy each others company and want to feel or have an emotional bond with the other person.  But yes, sometimes love does lead to sex OMG! and if it does, it does not mean that the world has ended.  All that means is your teen is embracing their own sexuality and hopefully we as parents have guided them, educated them and laid the proper foundation for them to take this step into young adulthood. 

In today's world it is possible to have safe sex, and if you don't believe me ask any trusted gynocologist.  Most forms of birth control are 98% effective, and typically the other 2% is from incorrect usage.  As my Dr. says, the proper use of birth control along with the proper use of condoms is an almost rock solid guarantee that a pregnancy will not result.

I am by no means advocating that teenagers have sex, but I also am a realist, knowing that many teens do fall in love and do end up in a physical relationship.  

So when your teenage daughter or son comes to you and says that they are in love, don't fear it, but embrace it and trust that you have guided them and educated them over the years, to make the healthiest and safest choices as they begin their journey into young adulthood.  Love is a truly wonderful and amazing feeling at 16 and at 37.