Teenager issues: HELP

@CRIVAS (1815)
Canada
July 19, 2009 10:19pm CST
I am in serious need of some advice. I love my sister to death, she is more like my best friend than a sibling. Lately she is starting to talk about boys, dating, and other stuff which wouldn't be such a big problem, except for the fact that she is turning 13 this July. I was sexually active at an early age and I regret it to this day, I have always wondered what it would have been like if I had saved myself for marriage. Now I have her talking to me about this and even though we are close, I know that there are things that she isn't telling me. I am worried that she will give herself too young and wil regret it like I did. She doesn't know how old I was but I am sure that she knows it was young. Now I don't know what to say or do. I don't want her to make the same mistakes that I have made, yet I don't want to push her away by telling her that she is to young for dating and such. Can anyone tell me what I can say or do without stepping on her toes so to speak? I really would like to give her some good advice I'm just not sure how to do it without sounding like a mother hen. Any advice would be appreciated.
2 people like this
13 responses
@arkansos (545)
• India
20 Jul 09
well you can't really help it. If she wants to do it young, she will regardless of what you say. Your words however kind and affectionate will sound cacofonic to her. What you can do is to tel her all about the three letter word. Tell her the harms. Tell her about protection. tell her about the bad part, the harms, everything. She will take the decison on her, just let it be an informed decison.
1 person likes this
@smileonstar (4007)
• United States
20 Jul 09
Hello, I never have a sister my own but I have two daughters. They are too young to talk about this now but I would love to prepare as well. If she starts talking about boy and dating is normal to a young girl but the most important thing if she can control herself or not. Most of the time it will end up in bed together or something like that. I am now a mother so my advice might sound like Mother here but if you are so close to her then you should share your experience with her. Tell her how it was and how regret you are. I am sure she will think twice before she goes to that point, at least she has you as a sample. If you share everything with her then she will share with you as well... make sure she feels comfortable to talk to you. Most of the girls will talk about anything to someone that will understand her. So try it and hope it works out for you
1 person likes this
@kaguvkov (1305)
• Davao, Philippines
20 Jul 09
I think it is better you will talk to your sister clearly. You have to confront her and told her about what would gonna happen if she will not listened to you. Tell her that it is important to listened to you because you know what is best for her being an older sister to her. In that way, I think she will understand what are the do's and dont's for it and she must be responsible for that.
@angime (87)
20 Jul 09
Maybe you should start talking about all your experience and tell also you regret what you've done. Listen what her opinion, ideas or stories but don't control her feelings for she might rebel.
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@adellene (57)
20 Jul 09
Aw, i am already married with the age of 18, i know what it feels like having a sister like that coz i also have a sister which is my big sister just one year older than me, i got married before her and now i still have the time for my sister in knowing whats she's up to and very open in everything she wants to ask. i am also worried of knowing that she screwed up but i know she will not, but all the things she wants to do i'm just here to support and share some advice.. just dont ignore her and let her be educated from u, u know what i mean? explain things, how it'll going to be and what are the consequences followed after. just try to tell her the things you've experienced and the outcome..u know what i mean..?:( i know u do..:) goodluck to us
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Jul 09
I do not have a sister, but I have 3 daughters. One is a 15. I can tell you one thing is that being honest is the best. You obviously love your sister & you need to make sure she understands that you're not there to be her mother, but to be a sister. And I believe that includes being able to trust one another to appreciate each others situations. Give your sister the benefit of the doubt of understanding how you feel. You don't need to get into details just explain that being a sister you want to be able to help. Good luck!!
1 person likes this
@Ruby_Dawn (617)
• Spokane, Washington
20 Jul 09
My advise is to tell her about your situation about how you were young and now regret your decision,and let her know all of the problems that can happen with being sexually active,pregnancy,STDs,and being taken advantage of by boy's I would not tell her she cant do it because it will just make her want to..but just let her know that it is not a good idea and that no matter what happens you will always be there for her
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@ruperi (138)
• India
20 Jul 09
Make alert to father and mother, also councel her from elder person of family immediately, In India says that if you celibate till age of 25 then your vigour will best through out life. You can produce best and healthy child.
• India
20 Jul 09
If u tell her no 2 all this she woud definitely do it!!! my advise is dat tell her everytin wat u hve faced before n just tell her 2 be careful. tell her 2 do evertin wat she wants but tell her limitations coz at dat age she woud definitely get attracted n u can stop dat 2 happen!!!!
• United States
20 Jul 09
I wouldn't recommend telling her she's too young to date, etc. You're right in that it most likely will push her away and she'll be less likely to confide in you. On that note, if you want to help your sister and establish trust in this area of her life, then I recommend sharing with her your experiences. Tell her about the good and bad things you did. Tell her about your regrets and why you regret them so much. It will help if she can see for herself that you've been there, done that, and this is what happened to you because of it. Give her advice on how to play it smart if she is going to do anything. Tell about how boys really are at that age. Try and makes parallels that she can relate to. Situations that she has been in where she made a decision and regretted later. It's important for her to know that you're there for her, to talk to, rant at, offer advice and some times just a willing ear without any judgments. I happened to be the younger sister, with two older sisters and a brother. I learned a lot from their mistakes, and those of other people I know. It's really the best way to learn those sort of things, but some times you have to learn the hard way. Offer advice of caution, take things slow, you have your whole life ahead of you. And there's always this question to put to her. When she finds that special person who she wants to spend the rest of her life with, who she marries; is she going to have that part of herself to offer him? Or did she give it away to someone else? Ask her to think does the person deserve that part of her that she can only ever give away once. And the best bit of advice for the long run, when she's older I'm sure. That man better treat you like gold while you're dating, because they won't treat you better when your married.
• United States
20 Jul 09
Maybe you should kind of beat around the bush with her....talk about yourself with her as much as you can, Like, I was younger than sally when I had my first kiss. Or, omg did you see that girl she was way to young to be with that guy. Make it like conversation instead of mother talk. Try this and see if it may tie into what your really trying to say. Good Luck :-)
• Malaysia
20 Jul 09
oh..i think it is normal for gilrs like her. you no need to worry but u must alert for her everytime,everyday, every month and every year. what i mean with "alert" is you must be alert with who your sister out and you need to know who is her friends (boy) and i think u need advice her nicely to not doing a bad thing out there.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Jul 09
Talking about boys a lot at that age is perfectly normal and doesn't necessarily mean that she intends to do anything with them. If you are really worried about it, though, you should talk to her about your experiences. Let her know that being curious is perfectly normal, but that it can lead to things that might hurt her or that she might regret later. Tell her that you love her and hope that she can learn from your mistakes without making the same ones herself. Let her know that you are there for her if she has any questions or wants to talk, because then she has control over the situation and won't feel like you are trying to pressure her into doing or not doing anything.