Parenting Suggestion Maintaining home rules and keeping your tween safe should be balanced with freedom and leadership. 1 Talk about what your 12-year-old would like to be able to accomplish on their own on a regular basis, and make concessions if needed. Healthy flirting occurs between partners who want to increase the closeness in their relationship. It feels pleasant and may increase self-esteem when flirting is well-received and returned. If this is the case, your friendship may be bordering on unsuitable, and it's time to call it quits. We all require the love, acceptance, and respect of others. And, regardless of our relationship status, we are lonely when our intimacy requirements are not addressed.