iii
Copyright 2020 Marline E. Pearson
Lesson 1: Relationships Today..................................1
• Relationships Today
• Defining a Vision
• Choosing Reds or Greens?
• Trusted Adult Connection
Lesson 2: Knowing Yourself....................................17
• Good Relationships Start with You
• Understanding My Personality Style
• Examining Family of Origin
Lesson 3: My Expectations—My Future................33
• What’s Important?
• The Power of Expectations
Lesson 4: Attractions and Starting Relationships...47
• Relationship Pyramid
• The Chemistry of Attraction
Lesson 5: Principles of Smart Relationships........63
• Smart or Not-So-Smart?
• Seven Principles of Smart Relationships
• Seven Questions to Ask
• Three Sides of Love
Lesson 6: Is It a Healthy Relationship?. ................79
• How Can You Tell?
• Breaking Up
Lesson 7: Dangerous Love. ......................................91
• Early Warnings and Red Flags
• Violence: Why it Happens, What Helps, Signs
of Greatest Danger
• Sexual Assault
• Dangerous Love: Impact on Children
• Draw the Line of Respect
Lesson 8: Decide, Don’t Slide! The Low-Risk
Approach to Relationships. .........................109
• The High Costs of Sliding
• The Success Sequence
• The Low-Risk Deciding Approach
• Making Decisions
Lesson 9: What’s Communication Got to
Do With It?......................................................131
• What’s Communication Got to Do with It?
• Angry Brains and the Power of Time Outs
• The Speaker Listener Technique—When
Talking Is Difficult
• Communication Patterns Learned in Family
Lesson 10: Communication Challenges and
More Skills ....................................................149
• Complain and Raise Issues Effectively
• Hidden Issues: What Pushes Your Button?
• A Problem-Solving Model
• Constantly Connected—For Better and Worse
Lesson 11: Let’s Talk About Sex............................169
• Sex and Sliding
• The Six Parts of Intimacy
• Understanding Sexual Regrets
• Are We on the Same Page?
• Risky Situations for Sex
• Set Your Personal Line
Lesson 12: Pregnancy, STIs and HIV...................195
• Test Your Knowledge About Sex, Pregnancy,
and STIs/HIV
• STIs and HIV Are for Real
• Alcohol and Drugs—Increasing the Risks
• My Personal Plan
• A Discussion: Internet Porn
Lesson 13: Through the Eyes of a Child .............215
• Child Looking for a Family
• What about Fathers?
• What the Music Says
• Child Speak: Brighter Futures
• Planning for Success
Appendix ....................................................................235
• Middle School Adaptation Guidance
Table of Contents
Copyright 2020 Marline E. Pearson
Lesson 1: Relationships Today..................................1
• Relationships Today
• Defining a Vision
• Choosing Reds or Greens?
• Trusted Adult Connection
Lesson 2: Knowing Yourself....................................17
• Good Relationships Start with You
• Understanding My Personality Style
• Examining Family of Origin
Lesson 3: My Expectations—My Future................33
• What’s Important?
• The Power of Expectations
Lesson 4: Attractions and Starting Relationships...47
• Relationship Pyramid
• The Chemistry of Attraction
Lesson 5: Principles of Smart Relationships........63
• Smart or Not-So-Smart?
• Seven Principles of Smart Relationships
• Seven Questions to Ask
• Three Sides of Love
Lesson 6: Is It a Healthy Relationship?. ................79
• How Can You Tell?
• Breaking Up
Lesson 7: Dangerous Love. ......................................91
• Early Warnings and Red Flags
• Violence: Why it Happens, What Helps, Signs
of Greatest Danger
• Sexual Assault
• Dangerous Love: Impact on Children
• Draw the Line of Respect
Lesson 8: Decide, Don’t Slide! The Low-Risk
Approach to Relationships. .........................109
• The High Costs of Sliding
• The Success Sequence
• The Low-Risk Deciding Approach
• Making Decisions
Lesson 9: What’s Communication Got to
Do With It?......................................................131
• What’s Communication Got to Do with It?
• Angry Brains and the Power of Time Outs
• The Speaker Listener Technique—When
Talking Is Difficult
• Communication Patterns Learned in Family
Lesson 10: Communication Challenges and
More Skills ....................................................149
• Complain and Raise Issues Effectively
• Hidden Issues: What Pushes Your Button?
• A Problem-Solving Model
• Constantly Connected—For Better and Worse
Lesson 11: Let’s Talk About Sex............................169
• Sex and Sliding
• The Six Parts of Intimacy
• Understanding Sexual Regrets
• Are We on the Same Page?
• Risky Situations for Sex
• Set Your Personal Line
Lesson 12: Pregnancy, STIs and HIV...................195
• Test Your Knowledge About Sex, Pregnancy,
and STIs/HIV
• STIs and HIV Are for Real
• Alcohol and Drugs—Increasing the Risks
• My Personal Plan
• A Discussion: Internet Porn
Lesson 13: Through the Eyes of a Child .............215
• Child Looking for a Family
• What about Fathers?
• What the Music Says
• Child Speak: Brighter Futures
• Planning for Success
Appendix ....................................................................235
• Middle School Adaptation Guidance
Table of Contents
