Healthy Relationships Utah Teens
February 2023
TEEN TALK
Love Takes Time
Have you ever heard the term infatuation? If so, do you really know what it means? We are going to explore infatuation versus love today.
 
Infatuation is focused more on looks, moving quickly, using someone to make yourself look good, and doesn’t allow you to feel comfortable and safe. It could be described as an “emotional rollercoaster.” A lot of times when you find yourself in a toxic relationship, it could be because it was more infatuation than love. Things moved quickly and there wasn’t time to build a solid foundation.
 
Actual love takes time, in fact it can take up to 9 months for the chemicals released in your brain when you first meet someone to fully settle down. This means you won’t see someone for who they truly are until then!

With love, you’re more likely to do what's right. There is respect in the relationship and it is steady with healthy emotions. It involves trust, freedom, patience and an understanding that you don’t have to compromise your values. In fact, you can set a boundary or share your values and they are honored.
 
A challenge for this month would be to examine a past or present romantic relationship. Do you think it was built on love or infatuation? Talk to an adult you trust about it and continue to build healthy relationships for your future. 
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PARENTING TIP
Explain Love Versus Infatuation
Many parents might find it difficult to explain what real love is to their teens. One place to start is talking about the difference between infatuation and love.

Infatuation happens quickly and is mostly based on attraction. It can mask unhealthy characteristics in a relationship like jealousy, using someone, and rushing the stages of a relationship.

Love, on the other hand, will take time to develop. It involves trust, freedom, boundaries, sharing emotions, and understanding values. It is a full view of the other person, rather than just looks or material things. Perhaps most important to emphasize is love is safe. A person should feel comfortable being their most authentic selves if it is real love.
QUOTE CORNER
Quotes About the
Love Notes Curriculum
“When my friends come to me with their relationship issues or need advice, I use what I learned in this class to help them remember to slow things down and set boundaries.” 

-Male Participant
RESOURCES
Find out more about real love through quizzes, stories, and reliable information by clicking the link above.
Did you know? Free classes are offered for singles, couples, parents, and blended families along the Wasatch Front! Anyone can sign up at HealthyRelationshipsUtah.org 
Funding for this program was provided by the OPA Grant: TP1AH000232. Additional support was provided by Utah State University Extension. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the presenters/authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funders. Utah State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution and is committed to a learning and working environment free from discrimination, including harassment. For USU’s non-discrimination notice, see
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