If you are a teenager, you have most likely heard an adult mention that these are the best years of your life. While this statement may be true in some respects, it certainly doesn’t capture the big picture of what adolescence is really like. Adolescence is probably the most awkward stage of human development. It is a time filled with often-confusing physical changes, raging hormones and a wide range of social anxieties. As if all that weren’t enough, you also face the added and usually opposing pressures of parental and peer expectations when it comes to dating and intimacy.

With so much working against you, it’s no wonder that it is often difficult to figure out which direction is the right one. Taking the first step into the dating world can be kind of scary and will require you to be more responsible and to think carefully about the decisions that you make. Remember that the choices you make today can have a profound effect on your life for many years to come.

The first thing you should do before you start dating is to get informed. Do some research to learn more about what dating really means for most teenagers. Discover what relationships are like and think about whether or not you are ready, willing and able to get involved in one. Most importantly, learn about the dangers that are involved in teen dating and what you can do to avoid them.

Another thing you want to do before you venture out into the dating world is to have a talk with your parents or guardians so that you can all be on the same page about rules and expectations. If your parents or guardians don’t approve of you dating, calmly discuss their concerns with them and see if there is a way to come to some sort of compromise. Perhaps by approaching them in a responsible manner and showing them how knowledgeable you are about dating, they might be inclined to reconsider their position. Just be sure to respect the fact that they are probably looking out for your best interest, even if you don't necessarily agree with their decision.

Once you have gotten informed and gotten permission, then you are free to let the dating adventures begin. If you act responsibly and make the right decisions, then these surely will turn out to be the best years of your life!