This may be a time in your life when you are meeting new people, or getting closer to people you have met before. Sometimes this can be a time to be alone as well –a time for exploring the person you would like to be in a relationship.
Relationships can be fun and fabulous when things are great – but you’ve heard the songs about broken hearts – sometimes they can be hard and painful as well. It’s unlikely that you are going to meet the person of your dreams by the time you leave care…..so that means it’s likely there will be relationships and break ups for you down the track.
Some relationships can be healthy and still a bit tricky from time to time – it’s about different personal boundaries and working out what is going to be OK for you. However some relationships can be unhealthy – and can end up crossing the line into a pattern of controlling behaviours that can be scary. If you are feeling afraid in a relationship, or worried that your behaviour is scaring someone else, this could mean you are in an unhealthy relationship.
There is no rulebook for relationships – but here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Power – In healthy relationships, people tend to make decisions together and share control over things like money and household resources
- Conflict – No couple agrees about everything, all the time. In healthy relationships, there are standards for dealing with disagreements – generally, this means no violence, no cruel putdowns, no threats, and being able to speak your mind openly and safely
- Respect – Healthy relationships are marked by respect between partners – being caring, polite and genuinely admiring the person you are with, and their opinion
- Being yourself – In healthy relationships, we don’t lose ourselves to fit the needs or personality of the other person. We keep a strong sense of who we are and we connect as equals. We also have our own interests and hobbies outside of our relationship, and we stay in contact with the people who matter to us
- Feeling good – Above all, a good relationship should help us to feel good about ourselves.
Need help?
| 1800 RESPECT | 1800 737 732 | – 24/7 National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service |
| Kid’s Helpline | 1800 551 800 | 24/7 A counselling service for kids and young people. |
Not sure if you want to be with boys or girls? Or just have some questions and not sure what to do about it?
Check out
http://www.comingout.com.au/
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