THE FUSE

When I observe the romances portrayed in the books that my kids read and the movies they watch, I notice a lot of grand gestures. There are dramatic proposals on airplanes happening just in the nick of time, and love that blossoms in the face of terminal illness, and seemingly impossible relationships thriving against all odds. But while I enjoy a good love story as much as the next mom, my work as a pediatric emergency medicine physician informs my perspective on the myriad ways romantic relationships have the potential to cause young people harm. Talking to your kids about healthy relationships early shapes their perspective and can help keep them safe.