by JP Shaw

Created on: May 06, 2010   Last Updated: May 07, 2010

"Summer lover had me a blast.... summer lover happened so fast.  I met a girl crazy for me... I met a boy as a cute as can be..."  

Ahhhh we've all heard the song sung by Olivia Newton John and John Travolta in Grease, a tale of two kids from opposites sides of the world who had a summer love that impacted their lives forever.  But that is just in the movies right?  Wrong!

Each one of us remembers our first summer romance and how wonderful it felt, but what advice can we give our teenagers on how deal with a summer romance if it happens upon them?  Well here are a few things they should know and remember.

1.) Always play it safe - No matter what romance kids are having, they are still too young and too irresponsible to have babies and need to know how to protect  themselves from disease and their futures.  

So educate your young teen on using condoms and practicing safe sex.  The more honest and open you are with the young adults in your life, the more respect they will have for you.

2.) Keep it light - Summer romance happens because most often kids are out of school, traveling abroad with their families, visiting new places and love just sparks.  But when reality settles, hearts can get broken when their new found romance suddenly has to come to end.  

So teach your kids the difference between real love and a romance that can lift their hearts for a while to enjoy but let go later as reality settles back in and school begins again.

3.) Drinking and Partying - Two very real events that almost always take place during the summer months when kids are not out working, studying for their next year of school and so forth.  Educate your kids on the responsibility these two things come tagged with.  

If they are going to a party and will be drinking, and don't fool yourself and think your child will be the only one not participating.  Instead keep an open mind and open phone line.  Set up a time for them to call you, don't let them drive and go and pick them up after the party is done.

4.) A Dose of Reality - Something all teens should realize is that it's not the distance that keeps most young lovers apart but it's fitting them into their regular lives once summer comes to an end.  

Some questions they might ask themselves are: how does this new love fit into their regular life?  How would they fit in with their friends?  How busy is your regular schedule?  Having a new boyfriend / girlfriend that nobody really knows thrown into the mix won't be easy.

5.) There are more fish in the sea - Yes true and although summer romance feels intense at the time, truth is you need to explain to your teens that they are young and have plenty of time.  

Long term relationships and love takes time to build upon.  Many people don't meet at sixteen and stay together forever.  That doesn't mean a summer romance isn't worth it but perspective needs to be recognized.

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