i
Copyright 2025 Marline E. Pearson
Introduction to Love Notes. ..........................................iii
Instructor Tips. ..............................................................xi
Love Notes Video and Resource Guide. ........................xv
Lesson 1: Relationships Today..................................1
• Relationships Today
• Defining a Vision
• Choosing Reds or Greens?
• Introduction to the Trusted Adult Connection
Activities
Lesson 2: Knowing Yourself....................................23
• Good Relationships Start with You
• Understanding My Personality Style
• Examining Family Origin
Lesson 3: My Expectations—My Future................43
• What’s Important?
• The Power of Expectations
Lesson 4: Attractions and Starting Relationships...57
• Relationship Pyramid
• The Chemistry of Attraction
Lesson 5: Principles of Smart Relationships........83
• 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?. ..............113
• How Can You Tell?
• Having Fun—It’s Important!
• Breaking Up
Lesson 7: Dangerous Love. ....................................133
• Early Warnings and Red Flags
• Violence: Why it Happens, What Helps, Signs
of Greatest Danger
• Sexual Assault and Consent
• Sex Trafficking—Prevention
• Draw the Line of Respect
Lesson 8: Decide, Don’t Slide! Pathways &
Sequences Towards Success................167
• The High Costs of Sliding
• A Low-Risk Deciding Approach
• Making Decisions
• Pathways and Sequences Towards Success
Lesson 9: Communication and Healthy
Relationships. ........................................201
• Communication Patterns Learned in Family
• Patterns that Harm Relationships
• Angry Brains and the Power of Time Outs
• The Speaker Listener Technique—When
Talking is Difficult
• Relationships in the Digital Age
Lesson 10: Communication Challenges
and More Skills ...................................235
• Complain and Raise Issues Effectively
• Hidden Issues: What Pushes Your Button?
• A Problem-Solving Model
• A Brief Review
• Constantly Connected—For Better or Worse
Lesson 11: Let’s Talk About Sex............................271
• Let’s Talk About Sex
• What is Intimacy, Actually?
• Am I Ready?
• Risks of Sliding into Sex—Benefits of Deciding
• Navigating Relationships in the Digital Age
• Are We on the Same Page?
• Drawing Intimacy Lines and Pacing
Lesson 12: Let’s Plan for Choices .........................317
• Test Your Sex Smarts
• STIs and HIV Are for Real
• Planning for Choices
• A Discussion: Internet Porn
• Pressure Situations &Assertiveness Skills
Lesson 13: Through the Eyes of a Child .............375
• Child Looking for a Family
• What About Fathers?
• Child Speak: Bright Futures
• Decisions About Living Together
• Planning for Success—Wrap-Up
Appendix.....................................................................437
• Supplemental Activities: Designing a Personal
Policy Cyberbullying
• Background &Research on Screen Time
• Film Guide for Antwone Fisher
• Acknowledgements
• About the Author
• Colored Activity Cards
Table of Contents
Copyright 2025 Marline E. Pearson
Introduction to Love Notes. ..........................................iii
Instructor Tips. ..............................................................xi
Love Notes Video and Resource Guide. ........................xv
Lesson 1: Relationships Today..................................1
• Relationships Today
• Defining a Vision
• Choosing Reds or Greens?
• Introduction to the Trusted Adult Connection
Activities
Lesson 2: Knowing Yourself....................................23
• Good Relationships Start with You
• Understanding My Personality Style
• Examining Family Origin
Lesson 3: My Expectations—My Future................43
• What’s Important?
• The Power of Expectations
Lesson 4: Attractions and Starting Relationships...57
• Relationship Pyramid
• The Chemistry of Attraction
Lesson 5: Principles of Smart Relationships........83
• 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?. ..............113
• How Can You Tell?
• Having Fun—It’s Important!
• Breaking Up
Lesson 7: Dangerous Love. ....................................133
• Early Warnings and Red Flags
• Violence: Why it Happens, What Helps, Signs
of Greatest Danger
• Sexual Assault and Consent
• Sex Trafficking—Prevention
• Draw the Line of Respect
Lesson 8: Decide, Don’t Slide! Pathways &
Sequences Towards Success................167
• The High Costs of Sliding
• A Low-Risk Deciding Approach
• Making Decisions
• Pathways and Sequences Towards Success
Lesson 9: Communication and Healthy
Relationships. ........................................201
• Communication Patterns Learned in Family
• Patterns that Harm Relationships
• Angry Brains and the Power of Time Outs
• The Speaker Listener Technique—When
Talking is Difficult
• Relationships in the Digital Age
Lesson 10: Communication Challenges
and More Skills ...................................235
• Complain and Raise Issues Effectively
• Hidden Issues: What Pushes Your Button?
• A Problem-Solving Model
• A Brief Review
• Constantly Connected—For Better or Worse
Lesson 11: Let’s Talk About Sex............................271
• Let’s Talk About Sex
• What is Intimacy, Actually?
• Am I Ready?
• Risks of Sliding into Sex—Benefits of Deciding
• Navigating Relationships in the Digital Age
• Are We on the Same Page?
• Drawing Intimacy Lines and Pacing
Lesson 12: Let’s Plan for Choices .........................317
• Test Your Sex Smarts
• STIs and HIV Are for Real
• Planning for Choices
• A Discussion: Internet Porn
• Pressure Situations &Assertiveness Skills
Lesson 13: Through the Eyes of a Child .............375
• Child Looking for a Family
• What About Fathers?
• Child Speak: Bright Futures
• Decisions About Living Together
• Planning for Success—Wrap-Up
Appendix.....................................................................437
• Supplemental Activities: Designing a Personal
Policy Cyberbullying
• Background &Research on Screen Time
• Film Guide for Antwone Fisher
• Acknowledgements
• About the Author
• Colored Activity Cards
Table of Contents
