A first date. A first kiss. A first love. These are the moments of youthful romance that make a girl's heart sing. But the tune is entirely different for parents who have to live with the exaggerated emotions and outrageous behaviors that come with her every crush, courtship, boyfriend, and breakup.

Dealing with the drama of a daughter's dating relationships can be an exhausting, exasperating experience for parents. But much of that drama can be diminished if parents can get past their own anxiety, fear, and indifference.

"It's amazing how much healthier teen dating relationships are when parents simply take the time to get involved. Just asking questions, watching behaviors, and setting ground rules can make a huge difference," says co-author Laura Buddenberg. "We want to show parents how they can make this aspect of teen life less chaotic and confusing."

The book tackles the most common and contentious issues that pit parents against daughters: age, clothes, curfew, driving, gifts, money, intimacy, even the Internet.

The authors explain to parents the benefits of having frank and frequent conversations with their children about love and relationships. Real-life dating stories are used to illustrate how teens, and sometimes parents, can lose sight of what dating is supposed to be about: socialization, self-discovery, friendships, and plain fun.

"As women and mothers, we understand the biological and emotional factors that are influencing the choices and behaviors young girls make in their relationships," adds co-author Kathleen McGee. "We've written this book so parents can help their daughters enjoy healthier relationships and avoid future dating disasters."

200 pages.