Your children may just be entering the world of dating. It’s a time for first kisses, prom dates, and puppy love, but it’s also time for blunders, confusion, and maybe even dating abuse.

Your teen is discovering her place in the world and undergoing many changes, just as you did when you were younger. While some of these changes may be normal signs of growing up, parents need to be alert to the signs of possible relationship abuse.
One study suggests that 82% of parents felt confident they could recognize the signs if their teen was in an abusive relationship. Sadly, more than half of those parents could not recognize the signs of abuse. Can you?
Here are possible red flags to look for in your teen:
• Failing grades
• Dropping out of school or school activities
• Difficulty making decisions
• Changes in personality
• Acting out or being secretive
• Avoiding eye contact
• Frequent crying
• Obsessed with dating partner
• Bruises, scratches, or other injuries
• Sudden changes in clothes or make-up
• Avoiding friends or changing peer groups
• Giving up favorite activities or interests
• Changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
• Apologizes for dating partner’s behavior
• Dating partner has violent temper and is extremely jealous
• Dating partner exhibits controlling behavior