It’s a topic that might not be an everyday conversation, but one we could all stand to be a part of. Yesterday, at the Belhaven Public Library, Ruth’s House and Hyde County Hotline joined forces to talk to teens about what a healthy relationship looks like.

While the conversation at the library was geared towards teenagers, there are certainly many adults in our area who could benefit from a refresher on healthy relationships. Whether just starting out dating or a married couple of 50 years, take some time to consider your relationships and if they are beneficial for all parties involved.

The website loveisrespect.org offers the following criteria for healthy communication and boundaries between partners:

• Speak up. In a healthy relationship, if something is bothering you, it’s best to talk about it instead of holding it in.
• Respect each other. Your partner’s wishes and feelings have value, and so do yours. Let your significant other know you are making an effort to keep their ideas in mind. Mutual respect is essential in maintaining healthy relationships.
• Compromise. Disagreements are a natural part of healthy relationships, but it’s important that you find a way to compromise if you disagree on something. Try to solve conflicts in a fair and rational way.
• Be supportive. Offer reassurance and encouragement to each other. Also, let your partner know when you need their support. Healthy relationships are about building each other up, not putting each other down.
• Respect each other’s privacy. Just because you’re in a relationship doesn’t mean you have to share everything and constantly be together. Healthy relationships require space.

Healthy boundaries shouldn’t restrict your ability to:

• Go out with your friends without your partner.
• Participate in activities and hobbies you like.
• Not have to share passwords to your email, social media accounts or phone.
• Respect each other’s individual likes and needs.

Remember, love should never hurt, and the key to any successful relationship is built on open communication and healthy boundaries. To learn more about Ruth’s House and Hyde County Hotline, and their respective work to promote healthy relationships in our area, visit www.ruths-house.org and www.hydecountyhotline.org.