TLC Consultants, Inc.

Someone once said, “Trying to define love is like trying to multi-task, a lot gets done but nothing is done well.” Yes, the subject of love is fascinating, intriguing and difficult.

In today’s world young people are extremely perplexed by the confusing differences between love and a crush or infatuation. Feelings are so fickle and often lead a young person to make very poor choices in the area of relationships. We now live in a culture that provides an endless array of unrealistic media messages that permeate our culture. It’s no surprise so many are overwhelmed and confused about friendships, dating and love.

In addition to the confusion there is unhealthy baggage surrounding us due to broken homes and missing parents. This reduces the hope a teen has in reference to developing a healthy, life-long relationship and getting to experience the happily ever after mentality often presented via the media. Most teens now question getting married at all let alone staying married to one partner for life.

No matter what, every person -regardless of family history or cultural background, has a desire to be loved. So how do we train our teens to get what they are looking for?  Is it even possible in today’s world?  Will fate, luck, magic or religion take care of it?  Is there really a successful strategy for healthy relationships?

In the mid 1970’s social science scholars began to study relationships. This research now reveals unbelievable information about what makes relationships fail and what makes them work. Surveys, inventories, systems, and models-research based tools for developing relational and personal goals do help. But parenting your teen with a specific approach in mind will lead to a much better chance of developing healthy, fulfilling, stable committed relationships. How are you doing?  Utilize the TLC Consultants resources to increase the chance of not just being loved, but being loved well!

By Talli Moellering

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