Starting my day with a big cup of Door County Cherry Crème Coffee.
I am often asked the question "at what age should I let my child start dating"? Well in most cases the parents have already determined the age they think is appropriate for their child. What has happened that causes them to ask me is that they have just told the child when he or she could date and they now disagree. In most cases the dating has begun in secret and now the battle has begun.
Proverbs 22:6New King James Version
6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
So here is my point. Why wait until just before they would start to like the opposite gender to inform them of the rules? Begin communicating rules and expectations at an early age. Define dating. Don't fall for the old "we just hang out together". Spell it out clearly and have the teen repeat it back to you and tell you what it means to date. Your view and theirs might not line up. Repeat the process until fully understood by you and the teen.
Here's a hint. If they are going to date at a specific age. Spend as much time with the young couple as possible. Date with them once in awhile. Have the other person be comfortable with the parents. Meet with his or her parents and go over the ground rules and expectations and have the kids there.
Now. If when explaining to your child what time to be home, you have to say " I want you home when the big hand is on twelve and the little hand is on nine". They are way too young and you are crazy.
Communicate at home.
God bless,
Mart
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