That’s a tricky situation. It’s okay to like someone new, but you have to be honest with the person who you’re in a relationship with right now. It’s normal for people to grow apart, but if you’re starting to have feelings for someone else, it might be time to break up with the person you’re seeing now. It’s not fair to either of you if you’re not fully invested in the relationship. It might be hard, but the best thing to do is to take some time to yourself to think about whether or not you want to stay in your current relationship. If you feel that it might be time to move on, then it’s time to have a conversation with your boyfriend and let him know that you need to end the relationship. It doesn’t have to be messy or mean, and in the long run you may both be a lot happier.

When it comes to sex, it’s always best to plan ahead. Movies and TV make spontaneous sex seem really exciting and it might feel weird to plan ahead, but it’s super important to make sure that you have a conversation about protection with your partner, especially if it’s your first time. Planning ahead shows maturity, and it means that you’re not going to get into a sticky situation if things get hot and heavy and you both forgot to ask about birth control. Whether you’re using a condom, the pill, or a longer acting form of birth control, like the IUD, it’s super important that you and your partner are on the same page before you get physical so that you’re both comfortable and protected!

If your friend asks for advice, it’s totally okay to give her your opinion! That’s what friends are for, and sometimes it really helps to have an outside perspective when making decisions in a relationship. That said, as with any issue in life, sometimes she may not want your opinion if she doesn’t ask for it. You can definitely offer to give one, but you might want to refrain from giving advice that isn’t asked for, because there’s the possibility of it coming off as judgement.

If you’re ever concerned about something in your friend’s relationship or are concerned about her safety, it’s really important to talk to your friend or a trusted adult who can help you figure out what to do next. For more information about dating abuse and violence, check out the resources at loveisrespect.org.

It doesn’t sound like this relationship is fair to any of you guys. If you care about your friend, you owe it to her to tell her what’s going on. It’s definitely not a good idea to let things go any further, especially if this guy has no intention of breaking up with your friend. Having sex is a serious step in a relationship, and it’s one that you should take with someone that you trust, who is committed to you. Besides going behind your friend’s back, if you really like this guy, it doesn’t sound like he is willing to end his relationship, which isn’t fair to you. Cheating is a serious violation of trust, and if you want to remain friends with this girl, you need to come clean about what happened and apologize.

As tough as it is, you need to move on. Anyone who is just playing with your feelings is not worth your time! And, as tempting as it is to think this, it’s unlikely that he’s going to change his behavior any time soon…so there’s no point in sticking around and waiting for him to magically stop being a jerk to you. There’s someone out there who will love and respect you without playing silly games. It might be easier to get over him if you unfollow him or hide his posts from your timeline, because then you don’t have to see what he’s up to or obsess over who he’s with. Who knows—if you freeze him out for a bit he may come to his senses, but the bottom line is that you deserve to be in a productive relationship, one where you and the guy you’re talking to are both invested.

Getting over an ex can be really hard! It might help to unfriend or unfollow him on social media, even if it’s just temporary. It’s really hard to get over someone when they’re constantly popping up on your newsfeed, and it can be super tempting to check up on an ex through social media if you guys aren’t talking anymore. Other than that, this is a great time to plan some extra time to spend with friends! Whether you guys are heading out to see the new Hunger Games movie together or staying in for a dance party and sleepover, hanging with your friends can be a great way to keep your mind off of an ex.

The best thing that you can do is to have an honest conversation with your boyfriend. Remember that sex is a new and exciting part of your relationship, so he might just be getting wrapped up in that. Let him know how you’re feeling, and give him the chance to share his perspective with you. Hopefully you guys can work things out through clear communication. It might help to bring some suggestions to the table, instead of just telling him that you think there is too much emphasis on sex in your relationship now. The weather’s getting colder, so maybe there’s a cute winter date that you guys could try! It may help to spice up the relationship in other ways, by breaking your routine and trying something new.

It can definitely feel awkward or scary to bring up the topic of sex, but it’s a really important conversation to have in a relationship. The best way to go about it is to just be honest and say that you’ve been thinking about where the relationship is going and are thinking about taking that next step. It shouldn’t be a high pressure conversation—for either one of you–and you need to let your partner know that, if they don’t want to have sex or aren’t ready, that is absolutely fine. There’s no specific time when you’re supposed to have sex over the course of a relationship; the right time is when you and your partner are both ready. Should you decide to have sex, it’s super important that you’re protected. Head over to our Birth Control Explorer to see what birth control options are available to you. Figuring out protection beforehand can feel a little awkward, but it’s much better than being caught without it if things spontaneously get hot and heavy!

Yikes. It’s really tough when someone you care about doesn’t like the guy you’re dating. The best thing that you can do is talk to your sister. Ask what her reasons for disliking this guy are, and calmly offer your perspective. Maybe she has a valid reason for not liking this guy—it’s easy to put blinders on in a relationship, so it’s super important that you listen to what she has to say. Stay calm and don’t attack her for having a negative opinion of him; if you want to know the truth, be prepared to list to what she has to say without interrupting or freaking out. It might be a misunderstanding, but if she really doesn’t like your boyfriend, ask her if there’s anything that he could do to change her opinion of him. Actions can speak louder than words, so if you walk away from the conversation concerned that she might not like him, encourage your boyfriend to show her and the rest of your family how responsible he is.

Abstinence is the only 100% effective way to avoid an unplanned pregnancy, but if you do have sex, there are methods of birth control that are super effective, like the IUD and the implant (both are just over 99% effective)! For more information on these and other types of birth control, visit our Birth Control Explorer.

Everyone shows a crush in different ways—they might spend extra time talking to you, or they might seem to avoid you because they’re nervous to talk to you. Spending more time with someone is generally a great way to get a clearer picture of whether or not they’re interested in you. A good way to gauge someone’s interest in you if you’re too shy to ask them out on a date might be to hang out in a larger group of friends. If you want to start smaller than that, try talking to them more! It can be about anything, a TV show that you’re both in love with or a class that you have together, but just having these types of conversations is a great way to get to know someone better and help you figure out what your relationship with that person is.

Once a relationship isn’t new anymore, it can be easy to feel like you’re falling into the same old routines, which can be super boring. One way to add excitement to a relationship is to try a new kind of date. Since the weather’s getting cold, you might want to try a cute winter date. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate or expensive; there are tons of cheap or free dates that you can try, like cooking a favorite meal together or taking a hike on a local trail—anything new and different might help keep the sparks alive in your relationship.

There aren’t age restrictions on birth control, and the American Academy of Pediatrics actually recommends long acting birth control, like the implant or the IUD for teens. However, these hormonal methods do require a doctor’s visit and usually some kind of co-pay or other cost. If you’re interested in a long-acting method, call your doctor’s office or a nearby clinic and ask some questions like do you offer IUDs and the implant? Is there a co-pay? If so, how much? I’m a minor—will this be confidential or will my parents find out through billing about this visit? If this sounds like too much, consider a non-hormonal method like male condoms or female condoms which are available in drugstores and health centers. Emergency contraception—even though it’s not meant to be your regular birth control—is also available at drugstores.

If you want to learn more about the types of birth control that are available to you, check out our Birth Control Explorer or have a chat with your doctor. Need to find a doctor? Check out our Clinic Locator.

Although there can be an overwhelming selection of condoms in any drug store you go into, they’re mostly a matter of personal taste. There are a bunch of types, but they’re not all that different. If you’re not sure what kind to get, you can always look up reviews online, and if you’re looking to save a few bucks, you can check out resources where you can get free condoms at CondomFinder.com.

It definitely is normal for relationships to feel a little awkward in the beginning. It can be hard to shake those butterflies when you first get into a relationship, especially if you’re going from a friendship to a relationship. You might want to try a fun date to shake the nerves—try something fun that will take your mind off of any awkwardness like ice skating or cooking a meal together. The nervousness you’re feeling is probably shared by your partner, and it might help to talk about it. They might not know that you’re feeling the same way, and it can be a big relief to know that you’re on the same page about that

It’s really tough, but if you’re putting a lot of effort into the relationship and don’t feel like your boyfriend is doing the same, it might be time to reevaluate. You deserve to be in a relationship where you’re loved and respected—and where the guy is just as happy to talk to you and spend time with you as you are with him. Unless it’s productive, fighting isn’t part of a healthy relationship, and it might be time to talk to your guy and see where his head is at. He might be going through something unrelated to the relationship or you guys might be growing apart, but the only way to know for sure what’s going on is to ask. Honest communication necessary for a successful relationship, and a calm conversation should clear up confusion between you guys. If you try to have a conversation and he shuts it down or gets angry, it might be time to think about whether this is the type of relationship that you really want to be in.

It sounds like you and this guy need to sit down and have a serious talk. It’s important that you guys are both on the same page before you jump back into a relationship. If he’s having trouble at home, it might help to have you as part of his support system, but that doesn’t mean that you have to be in a relationship—your friendship is really valuable too! Relationships require time and open communication, and if you both feel like you can commit to each other and can put the time and effort into rebuilding your relationship, it’s okay to try again, especially if you decide to take it slow. If you both want to get back together and are honest with each other about what you’re both hoping to get out of the relationship, it’s okay to think about rebuilding your relationship.

The best thing that you can do is talk to your boyfriend. Guys can be confusing, and the only way to know for sure what he wants in the relationship and how he’s feeling is to ask him. Let him know where you’re coming from and ask him where he sees the relationship going. It’s really important that you guys are on the same page about what you want out of the relationship, and having an honest talk should clear up any confusion about what’s going on between you. People do grow apart in relationships, and it’s really tough, but it might be time to reevaluate whether or not this is the right relationship for you. You deserve to be with someone who loves and appreciates you, and if that’s not what you’re feeling in this relationship, it might be time to walk away.

It’s awesome that you guys have open communication about sex and have set some boundaries. Physical stuff that’s not sex can be a little bit of a gray area. It can be hard to figure out where to draw the line, and it comes down to what you’re comfortable with. It sounds like you and your boyfriend have a great relationship and that open communication is already a part of it, so it might be helpful to have a chat with him and let him know where your head is at. It’s okay not to be totally sure how far you want to go in a relationship, but if there are things that you’re definitely not comfortable with, you should let him know. Give him the chance to tell you his perspective too! Intimacy, even when you’ve agreed to abstain from sex, is a great part of a relationship and something that you need to figure out the boundaries of as a couple.

This is a tough situation. Communication is vital to a healthy relationship, but sometimes it’s really hard to hit the balance between talking to your girlfriend and coming off as overly attached. It’s tough not to worry when someone doesn’t text back, so the best thing that you can do is ask her about it! She might be busy or not realize that it’s bothering you, but talking to her face to face to work things out should clear up any confusion between you two.

Some people decide to make sex a part of their relationships and others don’t, and both choices are totally okay. If you or your partner decides that you’re not ready for sex, that’s totally okay! Relationships can be just as awesome without sex, and the most important thing is that you and your partner are comfortable with where your relationship is going physically and emotionally. There shouldn’t be any pressure to have sex in your relationship—it’s a really personal decision, and it comes down to comfort level. If you and your partner both feel comfortable and respected and mutually agree that you’d like to have sex, then that’s okay too.

If you do decide to make sex a part of your relationship, it’s super important that you stay protected. Check out our Birth Control Explorer to see what options are available to you, or have a chat with your doctor. Need to find a doctor? Check out our Clinic Locator.

Spending time together is important in a relationship, but if you’re busy or unable to see each other very often, it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. Even though you’re close geographically, it sounds like you feel like you’re in a long distance relationship! It might help to set up times when you know you’re both free, either to talk on the phone or see each other in person. Setting up a specific date night or time to talk can take the pressure off when you’re not sure when you’ll be able to meet up during the rest of the week. Not being able to see the person in your relationship is hard and can put a strain on you, but it’s not impossible to stay in a relationship like this! It comes down to whether or not you’re getting what you need out of the relationship.

You can also try talking to your parents—let them know why the relationship is important to you, and ask if you can have a bit more responsibility when it comes to going out. They might say no, but it’s worth it to put the issue on the table in a calm way so that they know it’s something you care about and can think about that going forward.

Girls can definitely ask guys out. There’s nothing wrong with a girl making the first move—guys can be shy too. If you’re nervous to ask a guy out, start by talking about something you have in common. It can be small like a TV show that you’re both obsessed with or a class you have together, but that gives you the chance to ask him to hang out and catch up on last season or study for that huge test with you!

Long distance is tough no matter what age you are, but it’s possible, even if you’re in high school. Long distance relationships take a little bit more planning and effort than relationships where you can see the person you’re dating more often, but for the right person it can be worth it. If you’re thinking about a long distance relationship, you should take some time to yourself to think about the commitment you’re making and about the end goal of the relationship. Is it something that you want to pursue, even though it’s going to be a bit tough? You should also make sure to talk to the person you’re thinking of getting into this relationship with, because it’s super important that you guys are on the same page about your relationship, especially if you’re not going to see each other every day. Even though they’re tough, long distance relationships can definitely work.