I honestly don't know because my kids aren't there yet. I like the idea of being at our house or the other one's house or an occasional group thing around 12-15.

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dating 16, group of friends to movies 13

My oldest DD had a 'friend that was a boy' at 13 they hung together for 3.5 years but we did not allow car date until 16
Our DS is 17 and he goes out in group settings but did not single date until 16-1/2 and a parent drove them
Our youngest DD just turned 16 and was told she would have to show
us she earned the right 'to date' with respect and good attitude

I think it depends on the child and their behavior and maturity-
some kids aren't ready for the situations that may arise
no pun intended

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We told our girls that they couldn't date until after the graduated from college and they couldn't get married until they were 30! That gives us time to save between college tuition and weddings! lol Seriously the whole thing freaks me out! I don't know what we will do but it will be SLLLLLOOOOOOOW for sure. Probably not "dating" until high school at least because we live in a small town. Maybe an after school soda. Group dating at the movies etc. in 9th, 10th grade. I want them to have enough experience in picking out loosers and weirdo's and freaky people before they get to college and don't have our guidence and opinion to help them. They need to be able to be good judges of who they are going to be around.

I started "dating" earlier than my parents probably planned because they had known the guy since he was young and he was older than I was so they trusted him. I think it really depends on the situation and if I or dh even like the guy! I know no fair but I don't care if they like it or not. THey are only young once and I'm protecting them as long as I can get away with it!!! I'm sure my approach will change later but for now I think I'm sticking with no dating until after college!

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~Home is where your heart is~

25 for both sexes!!!!!!!! I dont want to become a grandmother before then!!

Tadhg went to a single sex school and Conor is going there too, they had a mixed group of friends in some of their after school activities but I wouldnt have allowed "dating" proper till Junior Certificate class proabably approximates to your 16age group

Thank the Good Lord what Rosemarie refers to as Car Dates cant happen here as you wont get a car driver provisional license till you 18 and by then you are usually in the last year of school and thats the major exam year so social life is curtailed


Id prefer them to have friends of the opposite sex before the dating thing got serious that way they see others in action and decide for themselves who they really want to date