What Age Will You Let Your Kids Date?
Last week on the EpicParent Facebook Page, I took a poll… (before you move on, LIKE the EP Facebook Page)
“What age will you allow your kids to date”
Or
“What age did you allow your kids to date”
The feedback was ridiculous, funny, passionate, and full of wisdom and here are a few of the comments…
- “30!”
- “40”
- “16 with specific parameters, approvals and meeting the guy. Reality-if you don’t let them, they will find a way w/o your consent.”
- “Teenagers go out in groups now a days. The ‘courting’ thing has phased out. That is my observation. Except for formals and proms.”
- “I’m a mom of sons but my sons won’t be dating. We are teaching and encouraging courting all the way and that comes after college graduation and established career. Of course our oldest is only 12 so I know it might not look exactly like I want it to when it does happen.”
- “There is no magic age.”
- “I have 2 sons. They will have the same rule my brother and I had – no dating until after you graduate High school and only groups until engaged – but never traditional “dating””
- “After allowing our oldest son to start dating at 14, we learned the hard way they are not emotionally mature enough to be in relationships. They can have crushes, likes, and hang out in groups, but NO dating until 17. Our boys are required to ask the girls parents for permission. And when my daughter is 17 he will have to ask my husband and I for permission! Avoid the drama and allow them to be kids as long as possible. Our boys have proven this to be good!!!! Just ask them.”
- “I have already planned Lily’s first date. She is going to lunch with the Pastor that preaches at my funeral service. I’ll pick up the check.”
As you can tell, there are thousands of opinions on this subject. I encourage you to check out the post…
When Should My Kids Start Dating? Ummm…NEVER!
Leave a comment and let me know when your kids will/did start dating.
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Its not an age question, it’s a maturity question. That being said we feel like that maturity can happen around 16. We test the maturity level by seeing how much they understand about dating. My kids have to write a “dating covenant” before they can date. The only guidelines I give them is they need to explain their dating values. With that, the kids turn in things like 1) how far is too far 2) how many group dates before a one on one 3) how late we talk on the phone or text 4) should it be a Christian 5) curfews 6) always having a detailed plan for the date— and the list goes on but they came up w all of it. Usually they don’t nail it all on the first run but it makes for great discussion.
Larry, I love this!! May be contacting you about a future post!
want your kids to put off dating…have a baby yourself!
our oldest could drive me to hospital for our 20th anniversary surprise.
the 3 oldest put off dating until after high school graduation, lol
great idea! but not taking that advice
That would change perspective quite a bit!
Hurrah! After all I got a website from where I be capable of genuinely get helpful data regarding my study and knowledge.