I am mom of a 13 yrs old ds...he is now entering 8th grade. Among his friends he has one of two are dating since 12 years old and thier parents know. I don't want to sound old fashion but when I was his age....I started dating more like puppy love... about his age...which I wasn't suppose to have BF b/c my parents were old fashion. They didn't let me date...go out on real date until I was 16 yrs old. But when I was his age...I did date but more a group date...hanging with a bunch of friends....that was only allowed at that time when I was his age. Now, I am doing the same thing with my ds and he swears to us that he doesn't have GF. We beleive him but dh told him he can't date until he is 16 yrs old. As for me, I don't mind b/c it is like puppy love stage during middle school. And yes... a few girls have been calling him every day...so he talks on the phone. ALso, they chat on MSN messanger...I always slip by and check on him when he is on line to check out his friends, making sure no freaks or weirdos are chatting w/him. :D

So what do you guys think about dating and what age is appropriate?

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My JSEVENS: JJ, Jaren, Jocelyn, Jamie, Jasmine, Jordan
"Mom of Seven...Darn Proud"

I have a 17 year old dd. I didn't care if she had a boyfriend once in jr. high, but she wasn't allowed to go on a date until 15. My son is in 7th grade and is 12. Same rules will apply to him, too! I don't care if I am considered old fashioned or mean. I have some really great kids with good morals..and they learn it at home FIRST!!!

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At 13 we would drop my Dss off at the skating ring or movies and pick him up. He always met a group of kids there. He had a "girlfriend" and most times she was there. At the skating ring they could not leave then re-enter and no hanging out in the parking lot. At the movies same thing. I would get there as early as 30 minutes before I was suppose to just to see what he was up to. This was as close to "dating" as he was allowed to do until 16.

My husband says my Dd will not date until she is 25 but that is another story. I think she will wait until she is 16 then double dates until she is 17.

It was 16 in my family for dating. Going out w/ groups of friends could be allowed earlier, I think.

For my girls...... 30, and not a second earlier!!

lol...my dh said the same for our 4 girls. :D

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My JSEVENS: JJ, Jaren, Jocelyn, Jamie, Jasmine, Jordan
"Mom of Seven...Darn Proud"

I started dateing when I was in Jr high also. But the deal was he had to come to my house eat dinner watcha moive there was no going out on date till I was 16. I would go to his house or he would come to mine. No if ands or butts and sometimes we could go out as a group with friends. I will do the same with my dd, It was nice having my parents know who I liked. Also if they hung around after being around my family I knew they liked me. KWIM.

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Ahhh...the typical dad answer:D My dh opts for the no dating until after marriage rule...but I say 16

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I say 16

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Mary

I think it depends on your definition of "dating". If it's a group of kids at the bowling alley or someplace together, then I think about 13 or so is okay (although neither of mine did at this age). I think talking on the phone or via email is okay also. But certainly not "alone" dates. My dd (just turned 16) still does things with boys & girls in a group. They'll get together at one of the kids houses and have pizza and watch a movie or go with a group to the movies...things like that.

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