When should kids start dating?
When I was growing up, my father made it VERY clear that I was not going to start dating until I was 16 and not a single day before!
The issue was never pushed. I knew he meant business.
Once I did reach the age of 16 and was able to start dating, it was nearly impossible to have a social life, because word of my strict dad spread quickly around our school.
All it took was ONE date to ruin my social life and teen dating career, but looking back, I’m glad my dad did what he did.
The boy pulled in the drive to pick me up and dad was ready for him. When the boy knocked on the door, my dad greeted him – just as any father of a teenage girl would. It’s no wonder teen boys are so darned nervous when they start dating. Back to what I was saying… Dad introduced himself and laid out the ground rules for dating his daughter.
I was to be home at 11:00 PM and not one single minute late. To insure that we were on the same time, dad asked if the boy had a watch. If he didn’t have one, dad kindly provided him one that was set according to our clocks.
Dad then took a walk out to check out the car I would be riding in. The air in the tires were checked, the gas gauge checked to insure there was enough gas to get us where we were going and back. Then the boy was asked to start the car so dad could hear it run.
Once that was all said and done, if the boy was still around, I was then permitted to go on my date.
At the time I was horrified by my father’s behavior, but in hindsight, I don’t think I would have had it any other way.
I eventually did marry the first boy my parents ever let me date without giving him the third degree. He’s always been my parents favorite — even to this day.
It’s funny, all these years later, on our second first date, that same boy that was terrified to date my fathers daughter still held apprehensions of dating her, twenty years later.
Now that I’ve taken my stroll down memory lane, what do you think about dating? Is there a set age? Or is it maturity? If maturity, do you honestly believe that a 14 or 15-year-old can be mature enough to date? And if so, are they allowed to date someone who drives?
I’m curious to hear from others on this topic. And just how your own growing up and dating has influenced your decision today?
Tags: teens dating, dating, raising teenagers, parenting teens
I am a 13 year old religious girl, I am young for my grade, but I believe dating is fine at my age, all aldults think we are so young, we know nothing about love, but we do.
This one guy asked my out last week, he is 14 but in the same grade, He brokeup withhis ex-gf 6months ago. I happen to have been friends with both of them for a few years now and he is very respectful, he asked her if she even wanted a hug before he gave her one, and always asked if she was comfertable with him and if he was moving to fast… Basically he is a good guy. Like I said we have been friends for a while so it’s not like I’d be dating a stranger. But im worried about what my parents would say.
I haven’t told him yes, because they freak out when they hear about teen pregnacies on the news. I really like him, and we don’t have to worry about s.e.x. We have both taken the abstenace pleadge
and are passionate about sticking to it. But like I said, my parents think 13 year olddating is irresponable and only leads to pregancy
MY POINT IS!!!!!! That you should wait untill 5thgrade MINIMUM! But after that is depends on how responsible you are and what your idea of dating is… But I totally believe you should know a person before you date them… Do YOU AGRE3?
I’m a teen too, I know everything there is to know. My parents don’t know anything because they are old and don’t understand me. I’ve lived for so long, and have had a lot of enlightening experiences. This one time a guy asked me out too. Like I said I know everything so I handled it well. I’m 13 too, my dad was pretty mad when i said yes to the guy, but my dad like doesn’t know anything so whatever. My little sister is like 8 and she is dating this 16 year old dude in high shcool I think it’s pretty cool that she is so mature at her age. I like saw her making out with him once… anyway all teens pretty much know everything so they shouldn’t be held back. With our superiour education compared to our parents it’s no wonder they don’t know anything right?
Hi my name is Trevor i am 15 almost 16. I agree that it is a good idea to wight. i would have to say that going though middle school and not being aloud to date was the worst at the time but i am glad that my parents made me wait. i would have to say wait till your kids are at least in high school that is when i felt that i was ready to date. if you dont let your kids date right in high school they will get so so so much crap from other kids. you also have to know your kids.
If you ask me, kids at 11 and 12 should date if they want to, Im 12 and i can see that the only thing happening at my school is kids getting a tighter relationship with the opposite gender. If it weren’t for that all the guys i know would still be yelling “ewww cooties”, every time they even had to talk to a girl. Besides, all the kids i know are too nervous to try anything drastic anyway.
I am 11, in 6th grade. I am quite young for my grade. I recently moved to another state. Ive been im school for 7 months. Yes parents are just trying to protect us. Mine is always yapping about how they didnt date until collge. I think they need to underdtand us that we are mature anough. I love this girl, shes about 3/4 or a year older than me. We are in the same class. She likes me too. We are just friends, not to serious about anything. She says she isnt ready yet. Again, i think that is more mature because imagine if you had kids, and tey came home, crying becuz someone broke up with her or something. Our parents are trying to keep us happy. BUT, they have to let us go sometime, we cant be babies forever. I really want to date because i can keep my feeling to myself( which isnt good) but away from my parents. I dont want them worrying too much. Because i am a big boy now.