Dating Advice: My Friends Tease Me for Not Dating.

This week, I was talking to some girls who are in middle school and my stomach began to turn as I heard another crazy story about dating. Yes, things like this happen every day all across America, but it doesn’t make it right! This middle school student was upset because all of her friends were teasing her for not having a boyfriend.

First of all, where is the friendship? Aren’t our friends supposed to like us unconditionally? Just because we start dating at different times doesn’t mean we can’t be friends! And what about this pressure to be with a boy? Where is that coming from? Why have her friends bought into this concept of “I need to have a boyfriend to be somebody” so much? Take a minute to think about the relentless messages about sexuality and dating thrown at young people. So, what can you do if you get into a dating dilemma like this one?

Stay true to yourself. Get quiet and listen to your heart and gut. What is it telling you to do? It might be hard, but staying true to yourself will help to set yourself up for the best scenario. This girl told me she felt like a coward. On the contrary, I told her that taking a stand was courageous, far more courageous than buying into the status quo.

Talk to an adult you trust. Let them know about the situation you are in. Ask them for ideas and input.

Be open to finding new friends. Friends change. Take a look at how you feel around your friends. Are they respecting you? Can you respect them? If you do change friends, the transition can be difficult but you’ll be better off in the end.

Write us at info@girlswithdreams.com and tell us about your dating dilemmas! We want to help.