Secretly dating

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 13 year old did this. It didn’t feel like lying, they were sort of figuring it out and was unsure what dating really meant at that age.

Don’t get furious, get curious. That’s how you can maintain an open communication with your kids as they get older.

I like that line.

[Anonymous]

Depends what kind of relationship you want with your child. Want for them to never trust or confide in you? Blow this up and get mad at them for not sharing something they probably can't even articulate. Want a healthy relationship? Leave this alone unless things change and you have a legitimate reason to get involved (which 99% won't happen)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would keep it a secret, too, if I thought my mom might go talk about it on the internet.

Haha fair!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would keep it a secret, too, if I thought my mom might go talk about it on the internet.

Haha fair!

anonymously?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Idk because I don't really do punishments ever. But I would be furious. I know that that might be a minority opinion, but I do not think that terminology is appropriate at this age, and my child knows and understands my expectations. I come from a different culture, just for context. She is also very open with me so I don't think she would hide anything. She knows I'm against it, but also know she can be honest with me about her feelings.

The culture you fled to find a better life in America?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 13 year old did this. It didn’t feel like lying, they were sort of figuring it out and was unsure what dating really meant at that age.

Don’t get furious, get curious. That’s how you can maintain an open communication with your kids as they get older.

This. Don't project adult context onto children's behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing.. I’d monitor texts, go over general text rules (don’t send pictures of yourself to others, don’t take pictures of other people without their consent and/or send them to anyone else), how what you say on text to someone is recorded forever, etc.

And I would not allow 1:1 meet ups

How do you not allow 1:1 meetups in the case of friends who became more? Same gender in this case, who had a couple years of 1:1 meetups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would keep it a secret, too, if I thought my mom might go talk about it on the internet.

Haha fair!

anonymously?

Yes, even anonymously.

[Anonymous]

When my 7th grader was dating someone, they texted but didn’t even talk face-to-face when they were at a school dance or co-ed party, so I had no concerns. I would not have been okay with a 7th grader going out on actual dates.