As a mother the answer to this is pretty easy – never.
Then I realised if they never date, they will never leave the house and I will be making tea and cleaning up after them for the rest of my days! As a result of that I am thinking of possible arranging a marriage for them both as soon as they turn 16.
Best way to like the bride? Arrange it yourself!
Seriously though I consider myself a rather progressive parent but I can not seem to find a definite answer to this question!
Kids are so different. They may be the same age but very seldom is their maturity the same so while it is totally dependant on the child, for legal reasons I will not encourage it before they are 16 years old!
I also think dating as teenagers is a whole lot less formal that as adults. Dates often happen in groups. They are very rarely at fancy restaurants or end up deciding whose place to go back to. Those decisions are pre-defined by allowances and curfews.
Teenagers date differently…
I never dated as a teenager. I was a nerd. It is one of the few things I wish I had done more of growing up. I think it is very important to go out and experience being with different people. I am in no way implying that teenagers need to sleep around, simply saying they need to experience going out with different people. How else do you know what you like? (or don’t like as the case may be).
I also think it’s the perfect time to learn how to feel comfortable around the opposite sex. I had no idea what to do with guys when I finally did start noticing them. I had no idea how to talk to them, how to interact with them.
Boys….odd things…
Age wise I do think sixteen is probably about the best time for them to start. Not just because they are legally allowed to do certain things but because it is the time they start wanting to spend time with the opposite sex. They are aware of each other and those feelings are very natural and I do not want to teach them that it is wrong to feel those things or want to go out with someone of the opposite sex. By 16 they also have a very good idea of what is right and what is wrong. As their parent, I have instilled in them about all the morals and principles and fear that I am going to. So it is time for them to spread their wings and try fly on their own with the safety of home still there if they don’t get it right.
Sixteen sounds like the best time to date…
So I shall encourage both my boy child and girl child to date when they feel they are ready. I shall make sure they know I will be watching them discreetly through the window for any inappropriate touching but I shall encourage it.
They will both have received the sex education chat before they consider venturing out. They will both have ample supply of condoms because lets face it – this stuff happens and I would rather them do it safely if they are going to do it.
