HEALTHY KIDS · APRIL 2018
02
DATE SOMEONE
YOU NEVER
THOUGHT YOU’D DATE.
Go on, do it! Even if it only
proves you were right, they
weren’t the one for you.
Spending time with someone
really different than you means
getting to view life (or at least
a few experiences) from a new
perspective. Going off your
usual path helps you get to
know yourself, which is what
these years are all about. You
can better discover who you are,
and what you need, by spending
time with different types of
personalities and seeing how
they impact you.
*Note: Every person you
spend time with can teach you
something. Keep your eyes open
for what you can learn.
03
6
This happens when you become
more a reflection of your partner
than of the person you were
when you met (i.e., You take on
their style in fashion. You like the
same movies, music, and sports.
You may use the same words and
sayings). Some of this is natural,
but don’t forget to stay in tune
with your own interests, too.
RELATIONSHIP
TIPS FOR MY TEEN
This won’t be a smooth ride so get ready
to hang on, steer, and use your brakes.
Know there will be tears and
disappointments which, though painful,
will make you a stronger and wiser
person. There will also be friendships,
experiences, and accomplishments that
you will cherish for a lifetime. There will
be laughter, silliness, and creations you’ll
feel proud of.
Oh, and there will be people to fall in love
with.
And you will fall in love, more than once,
in the years to come.
So, before this happens, I thought I’d
offer up a few hard-earned words of
wisdom.
When it comes to relationships and love,
always remember:
DON’T LOSE
YOURSELF.
If you aren’t sure what your
own interests are right now,
make time to figure it out. Stay
grounded in what makes you
When you are in a new relationship, or in
tick and what makes you, you.
the presence of someone you’d like to be
Anyone worth spending time
in a relationship with, avoid pointing out
with should be open to what you
personal insecurities or perceived flaws.
like and willing to invest time
Don’t hate on any part of yourself in front
taking part in those things, as
of them. Hold your head up, and use full
well. Relationships go both ways
eye-contact (no looking at the ground).
and should not be something
that you simply go along with.
Reason being? If you want to attract
someone who is respectful, you need to
*Note: If you do feel like you’re
model what you expect from them. You
losing yourself, don’t worry: you
do not expect to be talked down to, or to
can always get back to you.
have negative things said to you or about
you, right? So don’t talk down to or speak
DON’T DITCH
negatively about yourself. Of course,
YOUR FRIENDS.
as time goes by, you should be able to
Even
if
you’re
in a relationship
share some of your more vulnerable stuff
and
you
are
so
loved-up you
within your relationship, but not in the
want to spend every waking
beginning.
hour together, don’t forget to
prioritize your own friendships.
*Note: When you have insecurities
Because, quite simply, life is
(and everyone does) talk them out with
01
NEVER PUT
YOURSELF DOWN.
04
friends or family, instead.
6 HEALTHY MAGAZINE
better when good people who
get you surround you. In order
to keep yourself surrounded by
good people who get you, you
need to treat people well and
be there for them. This means,
making time for your friends, no
matter what.
*Note: Good friends should lift
each other up, support each
other’s goals, and have each
other’s best interests at heart.
Be sure these are the kinds of
friends you have. Otherwise,
move on and find new ones.
05
THE DECISION TO
HAVE SEX, OR NOT,
IS ALWAYS YOURS.
Whether to have sex or not is
always your choice. When it
happens, how it happens, if it
stops partway through – your
choice. If you change your mind
before it begins or you want
something different to happen
during – your choice.
You are in charge of your body,
no matter what the situation
is. Choose to be intimate with
people who respect you and
whom you are comfortable
with. Sex, with the right person,
can be a positive thing. Sex with
someone who lacks respect for
you… is the opposite.
*Note: Be safe. (Every. Time.)
06
YOUR MISTAKES
DON’T DEFINE YOU.
Now, remember: you will make
mistakes when it comes to love,
sex, and relationships. But know
this: Those mistakes do not
define who you are. Those what-
was-I-thinking choices can help
you grow. Sometimes, life can
feel really hard, and scary, and
you will feel lost at times. But,
you are never alone.
*Note: Your mistakes don’t
define you, but they do help you
better define what you want and
need in the future.
Shannon Day is co-
author of the funny and
heartwarming book/
martini guide 'Martinis
& Motherhood: Tales of
Wonder, Woe & WTF?!'