What do you feel is the proper age to allow your children to start dating? Do you feel any age restrictions should be put in place?

Date dates, maybe 16. Escorted events which include a boy and girl could be as early as 12 or 13, depending on the event.

Sounds reasonable!

It would depend on the kid for me.

How responsible are they, how responsible is the other kid they're with..

Who the parents are, where they're going, etc.

I don't think allowing two kids to go to the mall and watch a movie is bad, really at any age. Now, if they're unsupervised at a friend's house, that's another thing.

But, I'm no parent, and therefore feel completely unqualified to comment authoratively on this subject

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My son started dating right after he turned 16. He never actually "went out" with a girl before he was 16. My daughter is 12, and I figure that supervised dating will start at age 14.

No matter how meaningless it is, kids will call it dating so it really doesn't matter. But, my rules are the same as Anderson's, although I don't think I want to "supervise" my kids like Keith does. Is that child torture or something? LOL

I don't even want to think about it!!

Don't stop thinking about tomorrow, as the Fleetwood Mac song goes.

Burying head in sand now.

My daughter might think it is torture(LOL), however, I want to make sure that she is not with an octopus.

If I had a daughter I'd say 30......being the dog I was.
Since I have a responsible son, 16

My 11 year old came home and announced that his friend was cheating on his girlfriend today...

I almost died.

I have two boys thank God! I say 16 or 17 sounds reasonable for dating, but I'm driving. I am so opposed to teenagers driving.. at least my teenagers.... I can't stand the thought of them behind the wheel.. 11 and 7 ....I'm a wreck cuz I love my kids sooo much.

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I know exactly what you are talking about. I still hear stuff like that from my 12 year old daughter. She is at the age where she is getting boy crazy.

My son, who is 17, started dating a little over a year ago. I was really concerned about his driving, when he still had his permit, because he wasn't the best driver around. When he did finally get his drivers license, I was a nervous wreck. I was especially nervous when he would go to his girlfriends house and pick her up and go out on a date.

My biggest fear is that he would pay more attention to his girfriend than he would his driving. Unfortunately, he is also not good at directions. He doesn't know north, south, east, or west....he just knows left and right. Each time he leaves the driveway, I say a prayer for him.

Because kids seem so much more mature these days, I will say 16. Before age 16 my mom always let me bring guys over to the house and we could watch movies or whatever. I just don't want to allow my daughter to be put in a situation to be alone with a teen boy whos hormones levels exceed that of Pike's Peak. Avoidance of having to make decisions about what goes on during a date is best left up to an older teen, not immature kids trying to do whatever it takes to "be accepted".
:tweeted: Gawd the thought of this gives me a huge pit in my stomach.

Hmm... dating, my parents did allow us to "date" until we were mature enough to get married. Of course we went to the movies etc..., but I guess the term date is like all inclusive of the movies, hanging out, getting all emotionally involved etc.. then of course most of the time splitting and moving on. I think my parents were more concerned that we'd get used to the whole process of dating then breaking up etc.. and it'd maybe one day when we got married, it'd be too easy for us to just break up with our spouse.

Of course though I had a ton of fun going places and hanging out etc... just not dating till i was older like 20's. But to the original question. My daughter won't date till she's 20

I have 2 girls... I told them both they are allowed to "date" when they have a car, a job and are keeping thier grades up....

I think dating will come at the age they find themselves to be accountable of their actions. Now I know that sounds stupid for teenagers, but so long as they know what can happen to them while dating or exploring sex will help them to determine whether dating is a good idea or not. My guess for age would have to be around 16 or 17

If I had kids, it would be two fold.

For my son: A car, a steady job, and the smarts not to let a woman (or girl) take him to the cleaners.

For my daughter: When she gets a steady job, a .357 magnum and the permit to use it, and the smarts to say no when that guy wants some "action."

I have two daughters. Your suggestion is duly noted.

I have two sons..... my new theme song is ( sing to JingleBells tune)

Ab sti nence, ab st inence, abstinence all the way

Cuz if you don't - you'll be sorry, child support is what you'll pay...

Oh! Ab sti nence, .....


LOL I just made that up...

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" You've Been Thunder Struck ! "

What a beautiful voice, Karrie........I did not realize that you wrote songs. I am impressed