Tips for parents on teen dating - Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital



>> Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. [ Music ] >> This, of course, is Valentine's Day. Love and dating on the minds of many people including teenagers. >> In tonight's building blocks we have tips for parents when it comes to their teens dating. >> Melissa Trum irst my parents have to meet the boy and which is not really bad but it's kind of is for me because then they try to embarrass me. >> Dating can be stressful for teens than parents. Dr. Rollyn Ornstein with Penn State Hershey Medical Center says parents should talk about dating early. >> Dr. Rollyn Ornstei se anything as an educational opportunity if you're watching a TV show or a movie where these issues come up. Don't just laugh it off but say what do you think about that situation? >> Alyssa Alliso y parents, they sat down and they talk to me like normally parents do and then she just -- she said as long as I'm protected and stuff and I do the right things then I can date. >> Parents should make sure if their teen is in a relationship they're still spending time with friends and doing activities. >> Dr. Rollyn Ornstei think it's important for all teens, boys and girls, to know that if someone needs to know where you are all the time that's not okay. If they control everything you do that's not okay. If it ever feels uncomfortable to you then probably it's not okay. >> And if a teen goes through a breakup parents should be supportive. >> Dr. Rollyn Ornstei h don't worry about it there's plenty of fish in the sea. That may be true but the best thing to do is to support a kid through that. So the parents should be there. Be open. Don't be too pushy. Kids will not necessarily want to talk about these things. If they want to wallow in their misery for a while I believe that's okay. >> Dr. Ornstein says parents should look for signs that a breakup isn't going well. A teen may be in isolation, not eating or they might be sleeping a lot. >> And Dr. Ornstein says if parents notice any signs of depression they should get their son or daughter to a doctor right away.