What is the age you would allow your teenager to have a boyfriend/girlfriend? Or would they even tell you if they were on that path?

13 with a good talking to. Mostly they had to be in a group until 16.

That's a tricky one...I don't think I told my parents that I had a boyfriend until I was about 20 and that was one of the serious ones. They didn't know anything about the ones that didn't make it to the 'serious' stage.

I have never put an age limit on my children, not because I want them dating at a young age, but I would rather them tell me who they like, then have them hide it.

My daughter is 14 and so is her boyfriend, but his parents have told him he cannot date until he is 16, so he lies. How can that be a good thing.

I have 6 children and they have all had boyfriends or girlfriends at some time, but all are happy to bring them home and tell me their problems.

My daughter was 12 when she casually asked me if she could go on a date...."A date?", I asked..."What do you mean by go on a date?"...Well what she meant was an unchaperoned date with a 16 year old boy who was allowed to borrow the family car!

My answer, "No, you may not"....

I'm with Hippie, at 13 group dates only, transported to and from by a willing parent....At 16, you may officially "date"....But, I have to meet him first!!

I agree.

Rather than putting an age limit on their dating, it's better to talk to and inform them about how to have good judgement in dating. It will help them much better in life to know who is the right kind of person to date, rather than making them grow up resentful that they couldn't date so-and-so when they were younger, and lacking good dating morals.

it depends upon the maturity of the teen, they dont all reach the same appreciation for respect of themself and others at the same time

if my child had shown previous maturity and trustworthiness, I would let them start 'dating' in high school, chaperoned


until they could drive legally, when they could go unchaperoned


IF my child was still on the immature, irresponsible, spoiled/entitled side,,,,Id probably wait longer or maybe even they would have to wait until they moved out (at least for unchaperoned dates)

35, but no hanky panky. :P jk

I'd rather not even think about that, but I guess 16 seems to be a fair age to start dating.

I have told my daughter 16 is when she can date also. But.... she has had boyfriends at school. My munchkin refuses to wait that long.

In a perfect world, we could draw a straight line and our children would follow it, but as long as we give them the proper guidance and be there for them when they need us, they should find their way, even if they stray a bit.

You and your daughter seem to have a very close relationship, that's very important, and I'm sure it has a big positive impact on the decisions she makes, so I think she will be OK, even if she doesn't do exactly what you want her to do.

My daughter and I have this discussion on an almost daily basis. She is 13, soon to be 14, and has asked me when she can go on a date. She complains I'm mean because I won't allow it, and her other friends get to date and have boyfriends.


My opinion, at my daughter's age, they have really no idea what dating is. My daughter and I talk about quite a bit, and I can say she's not even kissed a boy yet(yay!). BUT, it does worry me because of how far some younger teenagers go in experimenting these days. It's not just sneaking a kiss, or trying to hold their hand.


Last time she asked me when she could go on a date, my answer was when she finished college. I don't think I'm going to win that one though, but I guess at 15 or 16 is good.

I would give anything to have a compliant child! ~sigh~

If only they knew it wasnt like television,,lol

but some things they inevitably will learn the hard way,,,

It is interesting how much of the other parent can show in their personalities, even when not having been exposed to them.

Ive thought that too

or it could be, that they are just coincidences that stand out more because of our feeling toward the other parent,,,,