What Makes a Healthy Relationship?

In a healthy relationship you and your partner feel safe, comfortable, good, happy and all those warm fuzzy feelings.  Even healthy relationships are going to encounter some difficult challenges, disagreements, disappointment, and even conflicting points of view.  Guess what, it's OK!  We are human.  It's how the each person deals with these challenges and the manner in which they compromise to resolve the differences.  The most important part in any relationship is to COMPROMISE (meaning, you talk things out and reach an agreement that you are both comfortable with).  It's the best way of getting the best of both worlds.  

Here are some good qualities of a healthy relationship: 

• Trust
• Respect each others decisions
• Supporting and encouraging each other
• Communication
• verbal
• writing
• body language
• listening
• Sharing is caring
• Acting in the best interest of the relationship not yourself
• Allowing each other to express themselves
• Holding each other accountable
• Fairness, equality and compromise
• and of course great sex!  (If it's safe, legal and mutual consent--meaning if you BOTH agree to it)

If you constantly have a warm fuzzy feeling in your gut about the person your in relationship with, you're probably in a healthy relationship.

=)

Female Condoms: DO's and DO NOT's

Gals and Guys... Damas y Caballeros

Presenting

The DO's and DO NOT's of Female Condoms! 

The DO's

DO wear a new condom every time you have sex

DO check the expiration date (its on the side)

DO form one of the rings into a figure "8" (the smaller ring, which is the one in the closed end of the condom) and insert into vagina

DO get into a comfortable position to insert into vagina

DO use water based lubrication

DO enjoy =)

The DO NOT's

DO NOT wear a male condom and a female condom at the same time (they will both break)

DO NOT use oil based lubrication (it will ruin the rubber)

DO NOT recycle condoms (always use a new condom)

DO NOT have sex unless you are wearing a condom

DO NOT use an open or expired condom.

DO NOT store in hot areas or leave in the sun. 

DO NOT use scissors, teeth or any sharp object to open.

DO NOT flush it down the toilet or it will come back up and haunt you (wrap it up in toilet paper and trash it!)

Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship

As we grow and begin to engage in relationships, it is important to distinguish between a healthy and unhealthy relationship. Some examples of unhealthy relationships are found in popular TV shows like Jersey Shore, Teen Moms and The Real World. It is okay to watch and laugh at the silly things they do but it is also important to remember that these shows are shown for entertainment and NOT intended for examples to follow. With that said.... LET'S BEGIN!


Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship


Negative Attitude:

• constantly drawing negative conclusions
• expressing negativity through language and action
• constantly identifies the faults, bad, wrong or failures first
• constantly pessimistic or has a negative outlook

Controlling or manipulative:

• Fails to compromise
• excessively keeps track of where, when, why and who you're with
• gives you rules to follow
• tells you what to do instead of asking
• tells you who you can and can't talk to
• directly or indirectly says or does things to make you do what THEY want you to do
• leads you to do things you're not comfortable with 

*** If you say no, it means NO! (your decisions should ALWAYS be respected)  

Negative Criticism:

• Constantly provides negative criticism instead of positive compliments
• Negative criticism can be considered verbal abuse
• if the comments bring you down or hurt your feelings then it might be verbal abuse

Anger/upset/rage:

• Gets upset over minor things
• Has difficulty managing anger
• Anger leads into physical outburst (hitting someone/thing, breaking objects, grabbing, pushing, etc.)
• Raises voice in an angry manner which can lead to screaming, yelling or abusive language
• Has difficulty letting go of issues that cause anger

Physical violence:

• Any form of unwanted physical contact
• punches, hits, slaps, kicks or breaks objects out of anger

Keep these signs in mind, they may be an indication of an unhealthy relationship. If you are in an abusive relationship, the best thing is to get out of the relationship ASAP.   It might be difficult at first but it can be MUCH worse later. Have SELF-RESPECT and MORE LOVE for YOURSELF... Do NOT settle for a few moments of happiness. 

If you are having difficulty getting out of an unhealthy relationship, seek help!  


Check out these videos:

Any questions? Feel free to ask us :)
You can also visit a great website on ending dating abuse. They have a lot of helpful information and resources. Visit LoveIsRespect. 




Stay safe,
Choices CAMP