Hollywood star Jamie Foxx has banned his teenage daughter from dating after the press confused the 14-year-old girl for the actor’s latest flame.

According to contactmusic.com, the actor/singer admits he’s become overprotective of his young daughter, Corrine, because men often think she’s twice her age.

“She’s not going to date until she’s married. She’s so beautiful…I was coming out of a restaurant with her, I guess the paparazzi didn’t know who she was, and the paper said, ‘Foxx with young hottie’. It just kills you because she’s so grown, but she’s only 14,” he said.

I hope that he’s only joking – it’s not Corrine’s fault that she looks older. The fact that she looks older does not mean that feels older or will act older. Allowing kids to date, it’s a trust thing – you’ve got to trust the teen, you’ve got to trust their date – and it’s not easy, but I’ve found that the more rules and restrictions you put on your teen, the more they try to sneak around. You cannot be with them 24 hours a day and at some point they have to learn to make smart decisions for themselves.

My daughter is 16 and she’s been dating since she was 14. She would have been allowed to go out on group dates before that point, but she really wasn’t that interested. She liked boys, but she knew that she didn’t want the responsibility of a boyfriend.  Don’t tell her that I’m sharing this, but I think she was afraid of the first kiss and she used to make jokes about how she’d high five her groom instead of kissing him at the end of her marriage ceremony.  That sounds incredibly young and innocent doesn’t it?  Well at the time she said it, she was frequently mistaken for an adult. The way a kid looks on the inside it does not always have a direct correlation to how they feel on the inside.

Young girls, sometimes they develop early (I was one of these girls) and can bring on unwelcome comments and stares. The girl cannot help how the people around her act, but the boys her age, chances are not going to push things any farther than the young girl would. We have this idea that all kids are totally hormonally and sexed-up, but that’s how we adults think, not most 14 year-old boys. My daughter talks to me all the time about being a virgin when she gets married. This is something that her pediatrician has talked to her about, as well. I have never pushed abstinence.  I hope that she waits until she’s ready (no mom really wants to think about her daughter being sexually active), but in the meantime I talk to her about being safe, not abstinent.  She has a serious boyfriend now. They spend a lot of time together and she’s still sure that this is what she wants. I respect her commitment to what she knows is right for her.

It’s very hard, but at a certain point, you’ve got to loosen those apron strings and let your teen out into the world, at least on a trial basis.  Dating is practice and teens are definitely people in need of practice. So, Jamie Foxx, I advise you to relax a little. Tell your daughter to put another layer on, if it makes you more comfortable, but those teenage years fly by and before you know it, she’s going to be out on her own in the world. Wouldn’t you like her out there with at least a clue of how to take care of herself on a date? If she looks mature now, what do you thinks she’s going to look like at 18?  And those 14-year-old boys, well I’m fairly certain that by 18, they will have sex on their mind.  And parents, the same is true for teenage boys – they need to learn how to act around girls, as well.

Let them learn how to relate to their peers of the opposite sex. Your child will let you know when they are ready for this step – it’s scary, but teens have been growing up and going on dates for years. You cannot keep them children forever.

What do you think?  What age did you begin dating at?  If you have kids or when you do have kids, what age do you feel is an appropriate age to begin dating?

Post from: Blisstree

An Argument In Favor of Teen Dating

Ok, this guy really brings out the weirdo in Darcie.

Sequence of events:
- The boxing instructor from my gym calls me (read yesterday’s post in fitdarcie.com). He tells me that because I am a Scorpio, I get very protective of my friends.
- I call Twyla, she tells me that someone pissed her off, which makes me very angry (apparently I make a good Scorpio).
- Dude From Bar and I watch 21, a movie about smart kids who count cards
- I fall asleep on the couch

So far, all sounds pretty normal. I should mention that we also polished off a bottle of wine. So I combined all the above in a dream where Twyla and I were playing poker and some guy (actually, it was the poker dealer we had in Vegas last week) stole some of her chips. Acting like a good Scorpio, I got angry. Then Dude From Bar nudges me to wake me up. I don’t fully wake up, instead, I start freaking out at him for stealing Twyla’s chips. Despite the fact that we are in MY apartment, I have no clue where I am. He’s got this look on his face like I’m a freaking retard. He says he has no clue what I am talking about. I shout “Where is he?!” He tells me he has no idea what I am talking about. I start frantically looking around my apartment for this mystery man.

Then I’m staring at him and I snap out of it and say “Seriously, I’m not crazy.”

I have no idea how I ended up at date 3 with this guy.

Darcie Vany

If you’d like to share your dating story, with or without your name attached, send us an email (you can find our links in the sidebar to the right)!

Post from: Blisstree

Darcie’s Dream Date?

There are lots of ways you can go about dating but going to the movies is one of the more popular ways. But how do you settle on which movie to watch? Let me enumerate some sample scenarios:

Guy wants to impress the girl, agrees to her pick.

Girl wants the guy to like her, agrees to his pick.

Guy and girl have similar tastes. No problem here.

Guy and girl have dissimilar tastes but agrees to watch ones they can settle on.

Guy and girl have dissimilar tastes but take turns in choosing the movie to watch.

I reckon these scenarios are pretty clear, yeah? (Insights after the fold)

The third scenario is the ideal but we all know that it’s a long shot. It’s a rare thing, though not impossible. The first two scenarios are common occurrences during the initial stage of dating. Putting the best foot forward, so to speak. However, I find it a bit unfair for the guy or the girl cuz they won’t be able to fully enjoy the date since they’re too pre-occupied with impressing the other person. The fourth scenario is a good compromise, however, both will miss out on watching the movie that they truly like to watch. Both will end up watching it with other people or alone.

And the fifth and last scenario is my own personal choice. I reckon this ought to be a great opportunity to widen one’s horizon. It opens up a multitude of chances to learn more about other things outside your own preferences and at the same time allows you to get to know your partner better. You’re allowing yourself to experience what he or she likes. It really won’t kill you if you do watch a movie you wouldn’t normally watch, right? It can be a learning experience, a good source of conversation — which can turn into a debate sometimes — and it can be fun. IMO, It adds onto my enjoyment to see my partner enjoy the movie we just watched even when I didn’t particularly like it. It sort of turns into an intangible gift or a show of affection. Know what I mean?

Anyway, I’d like to know what you guys think. Which scenario do you feel most inclined to be in? How do you pick the movie you’ll be watching? How do you compromise during movie dates?

Post from: Blisstree

Take Turns on Movie Dates

So, how did you spend it?

I can think of possible things that you guys might have done. Spend a gazillion amounts of money on roses (we can all agree that they’re more expensive around that period of time), romantic dinners and or getaways, sappy love letters — anonymous or not — declaring your eternal love, etc etc. We all try to be original and flamboyant in our acts of love cuz it is a day especially set for LOVE.

So, you want to know how I spent mine? (Check out the photo after the fold)

Oh, the joy. LOL.

The joys of pulling a prank, which I’m still hoping that it won’t cause people, who fell for it, to kill me. Ack. But those who did find out that it was not a real engagement photo (yes, I’m NOT engaged) were good sports and we all had a good laugh. Even my bestfriend fell for it, mind you! LOL. It was all in good fun. I know April Fool’s is still months away. I only thought that a photo op (thanks to my friend Sophie, who fell in love with my 50mm prime lens) we did one night was a good idea for Valentine’s Day post.

You can check out the comment thread on the original post found in my personal blog: Best Way to Spend Valentine’s Day

I hope you had a love-filled day anyway!

Post from: Blisstree

How did you spend your Valentine’s Day?

I’m not sure if you’ve encountered the concept of applying “rules” in your dating life. An example for that would be something I’ve heard (not verifiable, though) done which is that a girl would not accept dates after Wednesday or something like “let’s go out tomorrow night” sort of invite.

Well, in my country, dates are becoming quite common but it’s interspersed with the traditional courtship practices. But for the more liberal, they do go on Westernised dates even with new acquaintances. Some apply certain limitations, either the snag the guy or more importantly to protect themselves from predators.

Personally, during my more active dating life, I applied one important rule regarding personal space, and guard my privacy. Because I don’t always go out with people I *really* know, some are practically strangers sometimes so I make it a point that I do these things. One is to never give out my landline or home phone number. I just give the guy my mobile number. Reason behind this is to protect myself just in case the guy turns out to be a stalker. I can easily change numbers and drop out of his radar.

Another is to never ask him to pick me up or drive me home. I always bring my own car and agree to have the date at a *non-threatening* place like a coffee shop or a nice restaurant in a somewhat popular place (none of those quaint little shop located in god-knows-where type of places). Reason is I can easily ditch the guy just in case he turns out to be finger-sucking loony.

I reckon it’s better to be safe than sorry. Even when I try to be open about dating, I’m still a woman who can be over-powered by a man. Though I’m truly interested in the guy, I still have to be wise about it. Romance can come later on.

What about you guys? What sort of rules do you apply in your dating life? Is personal space and privacy a big thing for you?

Post from: Blisstree

Dating Practice: Privacy and Personal Space Issue

Just how much does a typical date cost nowadays?

I’m not limiting to the dinner and movies kinda date. It can be any sort that YOU consider typical, just simply let me know how much it usually costs you.

You can simply vote on our poll (as soon as I get it up, that is) or you can leave a comment on this post, OR you can blog about it and send me the link and I’ll be more than happy to link up!

This question was inspired by a blogger friend, Juned, who also happens to blog at A Feed is Born. He added a twist, which I might have wanted to apply on this blog but it’ll be difficult since I live on a different continent. Hehehe. Thanks, Juned!

Post from: Blisstree

Just How Much Should A Typical Date Cost?

I hope you enjoy this day of hearts. May it be filled with as much romance as the day can allow. I reckon being sickly sweet and romantic for a day out of 365 days is good enough excuse for most who normally aren’t. Hehe.

Splurge on that candlelit dinner, rose bouquet, and chocolates for that special someone. (Ouch. It’s twice expensive during this time of the year!) But yea, all in the spirit of celebrating Valentine’s day.

Happy hearts day, people!

Post from: Blisstree

Happy Valentine’s Day!

• WiFi on a local coffee shop — for all the geeky couples out there!
• Take your dog for an afternoon walk on the nearby park — you gotta love spending time with your pets, too!
• Go on a food trip, i.e. binge on foreign cuisine, cakes, etc. — who doesn’t love eating?!
• Take an hour urban roadtrip just listening to music and talking about anything that would catch your fancy
• Rent and watch a bunch of movies you wouldn’t normally watch and just see how it will turn out — for all you know, it may turn out to be one hilarious time!

It doesn’t always have to be complicated and stress-filled dates you guys have to go to. What’s really important is being with that special person, right?

What about you? Any suggestions on how you can make a date simple and fun? Do share!

Post from: Blisstree

5 Simple Tips on Making Dates Simple and Fun

Boxing Day refers to both the day after Christmas day, December 26th, and the Public holiday which follows Christmas Day, should the 26th and 27th fall on a weekend. [Wikipedia]

Traditionally, this day is alloted for a sporting activity, i.e. fox-hunting but nowadays it’s either football, cricket or yacht racing. I understand that most women aren’t into sports but, hey, some are!

Here are a few ideas on what you can do or where to go on your Boxing Day date. Let’s start off with the more obvious ones:

• Go watch the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Grounds — er, applicable for you guys who live in Australia. LOL.
• You can watch the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race — again, only for the Aussie folk.
• You can take your pick among the English and Scottish Football matches. Also, in Northern Ireland.
• You can also take part in the festivities of Junkanoo in Bahamas.

Now, for the DIY date ideas. Teehee.

• If your town celebrates Boxing Day in your own special way, take part!
• You can invite friends over for some beer and leftovers to watch them sporting activities on cable or a movie marathon of sport flicks. [Guys would love that!]
• You can host a barbie and play some backyard cricket [or whichever sport you guys like to play] with other couples!

If you haven’t considered making this day a special day, too, perhaps I’ve given you a few ideas to help you make it into one. Create your own special way of celebrating the day after Christmas with your partner. No one ever said the holidays end on Christmas day!

Enjoy your Boxing Day, people!

Post from: Blisstree

Date Idea: Spend Boxing Day Together

I’m quite curious, though. Do people schedule dates on this occasion? Or is the day just reserved for family and friends? And if you do go out on a date on this day, does it mean you’ll be meeting important people in his or her life?

Hmmm.

Well, anyway — enjoy the pumpkin and turkey! Happy Thanksgiving!

Post from: Blisstree

Happy Turkey Day Everyone!