Login/Register

Search

Donate

Hold Onto Your Heart (Part 2 of 3)

By Amy Stephens

Reality Key No. 1 – The relationship is probably temporary

Like it or not, 99.9 percent of romantic relationships in high school are temporary. It is rare that high school sweethearts make it to college together, let alone marry and stay married. You will need to help your friend see her relationship in the context of the next 10 to 12 years. You can ask your friend to think about these questions that center on the long-term vision vs. what is happening right now:

• Before you met your boyfriend, at what age were you planning to get married?
  
• Were you planning to go to college or further your education somewhere else?
  
• Don’t you think a serious relationship like this could change your plans for college or a career?
  
• What kind of lifestyle could you have with education vs. getting married right out of high school?
  
• Do you trust you can make your relationship last through college with all of the new people you’ll meet and experiences you’ll both have?
  
• Do you feel the relationship you are in now is honoring the wishes of your parents?
  
• What plans do you have for your future?
  
• Can you honestly say you are following those plans right now?
  
• Don’t you think getting too serious or having premarital sex will affect your long-term plans?

Copyright © 2004 Focus on the Family All rights reserved. International copyright secured. This article has been adapted from the "Hold Onto Your Heart" booklet in the Dare2Dig Deeper Series.