TOTW: Your Kids and Dating
As all of us who are parents know, our little ones grow up right before our eyes……and it happens fast. One day they are getting their first teeth, next thing we know they want to be going on their first date. So, what age will you let your child start dating? Does it make a difference what gender they are?
How about as kids - do you think it is ok for young kids to say they have a “girlfriend” or “boyfriend”. What sets this special friend aside from their other friends? If they are just best friends, would you encourage your child to just call the friend their best friend instead of their girlfriend or boyfriend?
How do you feel about boy/girl sleepovers? What age do they stop?
I know, lots of questions……but we haven’t had a topic of the week in a while and I wanted to kick it off. Please feel free to add your own questions.
I just heard "uh-ohhhhh" from G's room, so I'm off to investigate.
I don't care if he has a "girlfriend" and I wouldn't care if he went on "dates" now. Of course a "date" until he gets old enough to drive would consist of me or another adult dropping him and GF off at the movies or somewhere then picking them up.
I think it's cute when little boys and girls have "boyfriends" or "girlfriends" and would never discourage my boys from saying that.
Attraction to the opposite sex starts early on, as the child grows and developes they are constantly trying to find their place in the world and wanting a sense of belonging and acceptance. Having friends and/or "girl/boyfriends" is a natural part of life.
I would, however, discourage boy-girl sleepovers at any age because it's also natural to explore and be curious. If I did have enough room for boys to stay in one part of the house and girls in the other at night, I would consider it.
I do talk to D about sex often and promote the use of condoms. I want him to open with me and I'm not the head in the sand parent who thinks that "MY son would NEVER do that" or the one who believes that preaching safe sex is giving premission to have sex. There is NO way on earth I could have EVER went to my Mom and asked for birth control or talked to her about relationships. I want my rapport with my son to be a lot different.
Just of word of advice, cherish every single moment with your child like it's your last. In the blink of an eye they'll be dating and driving and you're no longer cool enough to hang with....it's sad.
The rule when I was a kid was no dating until we were 16 years old - and able to drive. My mom refused to drive us on a date. That makes sense to me and was never an issue for us. I didn't date in high school. Well, there was that guy in Mexico. *shudder*
When I think about my kids, that sounds like a good rule, but we might bend a tad (only a tad) if the other person can drive and it's right around the age of 16.
It seems so far away, but I know it's not. Krysti, I know how you must feel looking at E and thinking of D being that age. In fact, I have to remember to post a moment I had in my journal!