Relationship forming

Relationship forming is when two people begin to like each other and want to start spending time together. Just like how you make friends at school or with your neighbors, grown-ups do the same thing too. It starts with talking and getting to know each other, like asking questions about family, pets, hobbies, and interests.

Just like how you might play with your friends at recess or invite them over to your house, adults might go out to dinner, watch a movie, or do something fun together to see if they really enjoy each other's company.

If they continue to like each other and have a lot of fun together, they might start talking more seriously about things like being "boyfriend" and "girlfriend," or being partners in a "dating" relationship. This means they want to spend even more time together, and maybe even plan a future together.

Sometimes, relationships form naturally and easily, but other times, people might feel shy or nervous or unsure about how to talk about their feelings. Just like when you're making a new friend, it's important to be kind, respectful, and patient with each other as you get to know each other better.