28 Days, 28 Tips: Day 18

February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
In order to shine light on dating abuse, I’m posting 28 Tips for 28 Days. Stop by each day this month and discover stats that may shock you. Tips that can help you. Links that can save a life.
Knowledge and understanding are our best weapons in fighting what has become a silent epidemic among teens!

Day 18, Tip 18:

6 Warning Signs your Teen is in an Abusive Relationship:

• Sudden changes in appearance, diet or sleeping habits
• A drop in grades or less participation in outside or school activities
• Avoiding friends or family
• Becoming secretive or withdrawn
• Making excuses for the dating partner
• Constantly checking cell phone or email. Responding immediately when contacted by dating partner

Remember, it’s not unusual for teens to withhold information about this. But it’s still okay to ask questions. “How are things going? Anything that’s worrying you right now?”

Books can make it easier to broach the topic. There are a lot of stories about relationship abuse that can get your teen thinking…questioning. Die for You is just one. I hope it can make a difference in the life of someone you love. 

“In this delicate and tense exploration of teenage relationship abuse, both the slow progression of Dillon’s illness and Emma’s refusal to see the signs until it nearly too late ring true.” –Kirkus