How Do I Talk To My Daughter About Boys?

Talking to your daughter about boys and dating is a conversation that should begin long before she is of dating age and is ongoing. In other words, this isn’t a one-and-done conversation you have when she starts high school.

So if you have a young daughter, you can start now with these tips. And if you’ve waited until she’s in middle or high school, it isn’t too late. You can probably get a few ideas from these tips as well.

Encourage healthy friendships with boys. It may seem cute to tease a five-year-old girl about her boyfriend – the little boy she plays with on the playground at school. But it’s important for kids to learn at a young age what healthy friendships with both genders look like. Every boy isn’t a potential boyfriend, and her value isn’t only as a girlfriend. Before teenage girls have romantic relationships, it’s important that they’ve had years of experience building solid friendships with boys, based on respect and common interests and having fun.

Compliment your daughter about her strengths. It’s OK to compliment your daughter about her appearance because it’s important for girls to feel beautiful. But we should also compliment our daughters about their strengths and abilities so they feel confident. Confident girls can better protect boundaries and have high expectations for how they should be treated. Which brings us to our next point . . .

Teach your daughter to set healthy boundaries. She doesn’t want to hug her uncle goodbye? OK. She doesn’t have to. She can give him a respectful wave or fun high-five. It’s good for her to set boundaries for her own body and personal space. Is that little boy at school pulling her ponytail or chasing her when she doesn’t want to be chased? Teach her to kindly and firmly ask him to stop, then ask a grown-up for help if he doesn’t. We can teach boundaries to kids from a very young age when we teach them to respect other people’s things, to ask before touching someone else, to verbalize their feelings or wants, and to say no when people are asking or pressuring them to do things they don’t want to do.

Ask questions. And listen with as little judgment as you can. Obviously, you’re the parent and your job is to offer guidance, but pretty much every parent knows the tendency to turn conversations into what we call teachable moments and what our kids call lectures. So ask some open-ended questions and listen to their answers. Maybe you can use a movie or TV show or a conversation you overhear them having with a friend as a springboard for discussion.

Honor your daughter’s feelings/emotions. It’s easy for us to trivialize the crush our 11-year-old girl has on that boy in math class because we know this may well be the first of many crushes. But for your daughter, this is serious and her emotions are big – and very real – emotions. Nothing shuts down the line of communication between a tween or teen and her parents quite like feeling belittled or invalidated.

Talk about sex, but not only about sex. Yes, talk about sex and sexual health, but also talk about the emotions that go along with it. Though it’s important to talk about things like pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), it’s also really important to talk about emotional intimacy or how to start a conversation with a cute boy or how to handle it if the boy you like doesn’t like you back. If your daughter really wants to talk about how she feels jealous that the boy she likes sometimes pays more attention to her best friend, it might freak her out if you start talking about syphilis and genital warts. For the most part, open the conversation in a non-threatening way, and then let your daughter guide the conversation. Follow her cues.

Set rules and boundaries of your own. Kids might like to complain about their parents’ strict rules, but they really do like having boundaries and clear expectations. It makes them feel safe. Kids also usually need their parents to be the bad guy because they often don’t quite have the skillset to stand firm in saying no or in making wise choices with no limits from Mom or Dad. So go ahead and install the filter on the Internet browser, spot-check their phones, set parental controls on their phones, keep tabs on their social media. So much of tween and teen romance happens on social media and via text. You aren’t being nosy when you check up on your kid; you’re being a good parent. And if you see red flags, like text messages that are sexually inappropriate or a boy whose texts seem almost stalkerish or controlling, you can talk about those with your daughter and reinforce the things you taught her about setting boundaries, having confidence, and asking for help.

Finally, Assure her that her value doesn’t come from what others think about her. It’s easy for teenage girls – heck, for all women – to believe the lie that we’re only valuable if we’re half of a couple or if guys are asking us out. Model with your own talk about yourself and others that our value doesn’t come from what others think about us. Teach your daughter to love herself. Crushes, and even boyfriends, will come and go, but your daughter will live with herself forever, so she needs to love herself. Loving and valuing herself is a good start to every healthy relationship she will have in her life.

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How Does Abortion End My Pregnancy?

May 29, 2026

If you’ve recently learned you are pregnant unexpectedly, we understand how overwhelming this might feel right now. If you're considering abortion as an option, taking time to understand how the process works is important so you can make an informed decision. Collage is here to help provide you with confidential support and abortion information at no cost. We offer a safe space, free of judgment, where you can think calmly about your options, receive lab-quality pregnancy testing, and get a complimentary ultrasound so you can get the facts around your pregnancy and learn what options are available to you. Schedule your free appointment today. Medical Abortion Medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, ends a pregnancy by using two drugs taken at different times. The first pill, mifepristone, works by blocking progesterone and causes the embryo’s death. The second drug, called misoprostol, is usually taken a day or two after and causes the uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy tissue through cramping and bleeding. Common side effects can include bleeding and cramping, bleeding with blood clots, and a low-grade fever. Medical abortion is only approved through ten weeks of gestation by the FDA . Follow-up care is typically recommended after a medical abortion to make sure the process is complete. Surgical Abortion Surgical abortion terminates a pregnancy in a clinic or medical setting and involves removing pregnancy tissue from the uterus through a suction device or a tool called a curette. This can also be called dilation and evacuation or dilation and curettage . Common side effects of surgical abortions are bleeding and cramps. You may also have a late or early period as your uterus has to build a new lining after the procedure. What Are The Risks Of Abortion? Medical and surgical abortion both have possible risks that you should be aware of. Some women may also experience emotional responses afterward. Complications that can arise from abortion are: Infection. Scar tissue on the uterine wall, known as Asherman's syndrome . Heavy bleeding that may not stop. Diarrhea and digestive pain. An incomplete abortion. Confirm Your Pregnancy With An Ultrasound Before making a pregnancy decision, it is important to verify your pregnancy with an ultrasound. An ultrasound provides important medical details such as how far along you are, the location of the pregnancy, and whether a heartbeat is detected. These details are important since the abortion pill is not FDA-approved for over ten weeks, and it also rules out ectopic pregnancy, which requires urgent medical attention. As many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and you can still get a positive pregnancy test result for days or weeks after a miscarriage because it takes time for hCG to leave the body. An ultrasound will confirm whether or not you have miscarried. We provide no-cost pregnancy services at our center, including limited OB ultrasounds, so you can get informed about your pregnancy and options. Get Pregnancy Support at College If you're considering your next step after learning you are unexpectedly pregnant, we are here to give you a safe place to ask questions and learn more about your options. Collage provides confidential appointments and no-cost pregnancy services, including medical-grade pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STD testing . You don’t have to figure this out alone. We are here to listen. Schedule your free confidential appointment to learn more about your options. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.

What Are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?

April 21, 2026

Facing an unexpected pregnancy brings up a lot of questions, and it makes complete sense that you want to understand every option before deciding anything. If you're considering the abortion pill, knowing what it actually involves, including its side effects, is an important part of making a decision based on the facts. You don't have to sort through this alone. Schedule a no-cost appointment with Collage today to get your questions answered. How the Abortion Pill Works The abortion pill uses two drugs taken in sequence. The first, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone that supports the growth and development of the pregnancy. Without it, the pregnancy detaches from the uterine lining. The second drug, misoprostol, is typically taken at home and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue. Heavy bleeding and cramping will be part of this process, and some women have described the pain as more severe than they anticipated. Side Effects to Know Beyond bleeding and cramping, the abortion pill can also cause these side effects : Upset stomach Vomiting Diarrhea Headache Fever Chills These side effects vary from woman to woman, which is one reason having a healthcare provider involved matters. Without medical oversight, it can be difficult to know what's within the range of normal and what requires immediate attention. Your personal health history also plays a role in how your body responds. Speaking with a medical professional before proceeding is an important step in protecting your well-being. Why an Ultrasound Matters First Before considering any pregnancy option, an ultrasound provides information that a pregnancy test simply cannot. It can confirm whether the pregnancy is progressing, rule out an ectopic pregnancy , and tell you how far along you are. The FDA approves the abortion pill only through 10 weeks gestation, making that last detail a critical piece of information for your safety. We're Here for You Whatever you're feeling right now, there’s no pressure here. At Collage, we genuinely care about you and want to make sure you have everything you need to make a sound decision. We offer lab-quality pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasounds, and our team is ready to talk through all your options, parenting, adoption, and abortion, in a warm, supportive environment. Schedule your no-cost appointment today. We're so glad you reached out. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.

3 Things to Know if You Are Considering Mail-Order Abortion

March 26, 2026

Facing an unexpected pregnancy can bring a lot of emotions, and often, a sense of urgency to make a decision quickly. You may have seen options online to order abortion pills by mail and wondered if it’s a simple solution. Before making a decision, it’s important to understand how this option could affect your health and what steps you can take to make a fully informed decision. 1. Your Health Should Always Come First Mail-order abortion often skips important medical safeguards. In many cases, there is no in-person evaluation before receiving the drugs. That means key health factors, such as your medical history and potential risks, will not be fully considered. There can also be uncertainty about the source of the drugs, including how they were handled, stored, or dosed. In fact, the FDA does not recommend this option because the drugs’ quality, safety, and effectiveness cannot be guaranteed. Taking time to understand your health first is a smart and proactive way to protect yourself. 2. You Need Clear Answers About Your Pregnancy A pregnancy test alone doesn’t give you the full picture. Before considering abortion, it’s important to confirm details about your pregnancy through an ultrasound. An ultrasound can tell you: How far along are you? Whether the pregnancy is developing (or if you’ve miscarried ) Where the pregnancy is located These details matter more than you might think. Abortion pills are FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of gestation, and without accurate dating, it’s possible to miscalculate how far along you are. An ultrasound can also detect an ectopic pregnancy , which occurs outside the uterus and requires immediate medical attention. Abortion pills will not treat this condition. What’s more, if you’ve experienced a miscarriage, you may require medical follow-up to prevent complications. Getting these details first helps ensure your safety. We offer limited OB ultrasounds following positive lab-quality pregnancy testing with us. 3. It’s Important to Understand the Process and Risks Mail-order abortion may sound straightforward, but it’s important to know what it may actually involve. The process includes significant cramping and bleeding as the body expels the pregnancy, with some women describing the pain as being unexpectedly severe . Other side effects can include: Nausea or vomiting Fever or chills Diarrhea Headaches There are also potential risks , such as heavy bleeding, infection, or an incomplete abortion that may require additional medical care. Without in-person support, it can be difficult to know what’s expected and when something may need medical attention. You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone When everything feels overwhelming, it can help to take a moment to evaluate your next steps and get the information you need. At Collage, we provide no-cost, confidential services so you can ask questions, gather accurate information, and explore your options at your own pace in a one-on-one setting. Schedule your appointment today. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.