Giving children tools for their first romantic relationship

Relationship expert Dr. John Gray gives tips for parents to help kids navigate their first relationships and romantic feelings
Advice for Parenting Tweens and Teens | Giving children tools for their first romantic relationships
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Giving children tools for their first romantic relationship

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One of the big challenges today is that boys are actually maturing slower than girls and girls are maturing much faster, so girls are now taking more of the initiative role in relationships and often feeling rejected and misunderstood by boys. So it is important for mothers to let their daughters know that boys are taking a little longer and to pursue boys because that tendency to pursue and go after something tends to make boys more passive. And part of pursuing a boy is providing for him what you think he wants and of course boys tend to want sex or have sexual movement. And a girl goes if I give him that, then he will be interested in me. And actually if you are too quick, he loses interests, and this is what mothers have to explain to their daughters is that when girls get closer sexually, they want more. But when boys get closer too soon, they tend to withdraw and pull away, and that hurts a girl´s self-esteem if someone is not there to explain to her boys are like rubber bands, so are grown up men. We get close but then we pull away. But if we have enough space to pull away, we spring back. However, a younger boy, an immature boy, will tend to get close and if he has too much too quickly, he tends to pull away and be completely disinterested. So go slow so he can bond with her on an emotional level, on a mental level, be friends before the sexual activity begins to increase, even kissing and hugging and touching.

Relationship expert Dr. John Gray gives tips for parents to help kids navigate their first relationships and romantic feelings

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Expert Bio

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John Gray, PhD

Best-Selling Author

John Gray is the leading relationship expert in the world. His relationship and health books have sold over 50 million copies in 50 different languages. His groundbreaking book, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, is the best-selling non-fiction book of all time.

John helps men and women better understand and respect their differences in both personal and professional relationships. His approach combines specific communication techniques with healthy, nutritional choices that create the brain and body chemistry for lasting health, happiness and romance. His many books, videos, workshops and seminars provide practical insights to effectively manage stress and improve relationships at all stages of life and love.

John also travels the world teaching communities and companies the best ways to improve their relationships and communication. He has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show many times as well as The Dr. Oz Show, The Today Show, CBS Morning Show, Good Morning America, The Early Show, The View, and many others. He has been profiled in Time, Forbes, USA Today and People.

John Gray lives in Northern California with his wife of 29 years, Bonnie. They have three grown daughters and four grandchildren. He is an avid follower of his own health and relationship advice.

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