If you’re a parent, it can be hard to know how to handle the situation when your teenage daughter starts dating an older man. But it’s important to be patient and do your best to help her.
Teenage girls tend to gravitate toward older men because of their desire to feel safe and loved, according to clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, Ph.D. But there are also things you can do to protect your daughter from getting caught up in this type of relationship.
Be Honest About Your Interests
While you may be tempted to act flirty and tease about your age gap, it is important to be honest with him. He doesn’t want to be in a relationship where you keep him guessing or are playing games with him.
The best way to attract and date an older man is to be open and honest about your interests and goals. This can help to equalize the age gap and create a more fulfilling relationship.
A mature guy will appreciate you showing genuine interest in him and his life. This includes being genuinely interested in his career, hobbies and experiences.
He will be more likely to listen to your ideas and views on things, which could lead to a healthy relationship built on mutual respect.
He’s also much more likely to understand your needs and ambitions than a younger man will. This can make him much more supportive and confident in your future.
Take It Slow
When it comes to relationships, taking it slow can be beneficial. It’s a way to ensure that you and your partner are getting the best out of each other.
In a relationship, it’s important to take the time to get to know each other and build trust, respect and love. It’s also important to not rush things too quickly, as this can lead to a lot of heartache down the road.
Luckily, when you take it slow, you’ll have more time to focus on getting to know each other and having fun together. This will make your dating experience much more pleasant, and you’ll be able to see whether or not this is someone worth spending your time with.
When it comes to relationships with older men, taking it slow can be a good idea. This is because older men often have more mature emotional health and are less likely to commit early on in a relationship. Moreover, they’re more invested in the future of their relationships and want to invest in their partner.
Be Honest About Your Finances
Whether you’re a teenager with an older man or have been dating one for some time now, you should be honest about your finances. It’s an important conversation that will benefit your future together, so don’t be afraid to discuss your budgets and goals.
The key is to be honest about your money choices and why you may choose to make them. This includes whether you are saving up for a house, a car, a vacation, or a retirement account.
When it comes to your long-term financial goals, you and your partner should share the same vision for where you want to be. If you want to save for retirement and your partner doesn’t, that could cause some issues down the road.
Ideally, you should start talking about your finances when you’re still on dates or when you’re thinking about marriage or moving in together. You should also talk about your debt and how you plan to pay it off.
Be Honest About Yourself
Adolescence is a time of change, transition and tumult. It’s a difficult time to navigate and to learn a lot about yourself and your own limitations. Trying to fit in can leave you feeling misunderstood, under appreciated and even worse – unloved.
For some teens, a relationship with an older man may be a welcome relief. A seasoned older gent can provide invaluable insights into what made his previous relationships work and what went wrong. He also knows when to call it a day and move on.
Be honest about yourself and your interests as a teenager with an older man and you’ll be in a much better position to navigate the future. A few tips to get you started are: Be clear on what you want, be open to their suggestions, keep it simple and don’t be afraid to ask questions when they inevitably ask them. The most important thing is to remain cool and calm while doing so.