Would you let your almost-13 year old, 7th grade DD go to a movie with a 7th grade boy?

[Anonymous]

Would you insist that they go in a group? Insist that a parent go along? Say hell no?

FWIW it's not a friend thing but intended by both as an actual date. They don't go to the same school or hang out with a lot of kids in common.

[Anonymous]

Well, I have a "no dating until 16" rule. I will bend that for high schoolers if I have to, but wouldn't for kids in middle school. Dating in middle school is correlated with some at risk behaviors like earlier alcohol use, lower grades, etc. I see no need to accommodate dating that young.

I'd say go in a group.

[Anonymous]

No, she doesn't need to be dating at that time. I was and won't let my kids.

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is in 7th grade and there is no way I would let her. Not even as a group of dates. Thankful she has no interest in boys yet.

I think it is way too soon. If you let her on dates now imagine what she will be doing in 9th grade? Hint: not going on simple dates.

[Anonymous]

Yes but I drop off at movie thtr and pick up immediately after.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes but I drop off at movie thtr and pick up immediately after.

This is exactly what I did when my kids were that age.

[Anonymous]

Ummm. No.

[Anonymous]

Yes. You people never hung out with 7th grade boys? Really?

Depending where the theater was, I wouldn't leave, just go shopping in the same area. Let them know I might drop in on them at any moment.

[Anonymous]

No. It would be one thing if they were otherwise friends or had friends in common, but an actual date-date in 7th grade? Hell no.

A well-balanced boy/girl friend group is fine (perhaps with a tagalong parent seated elsewhere?), tagging along with family is also fine. If those are not good enough options, she can hate you now and thank you later.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely. As others said, drop off and pick up right after. Not a big deal, unless you don't trust your daughter. Do you know the boy? Have you met him?

[Anonymous]

Nope!

A group of middle schoolers hanging out is one thing, but starting the dating drama already? No ma'am. There's plenty of time for that. DD will have the rest of her life to deal with the emotions, highs and lows of dating. Let her enjoy being a kid without a care in the world and no worries if Dream Date likes someone else by March.

[Anonymous]

She could go, so long as one of her parents joined them

[Anonymous]

An almost-13 year old is a 12 year old girl. The boy could be an almost-14 year old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope!

A group of middle schoolers hanging out is one thing, but starting the dating drama already? No ma'am. There's plenty of time for that. DD will have the rest of her life to deal with the emotions, highs and lows of dating. Let her enjoy being a kid without a care in the world and no worries if Dream Date likes someone else by March.

I agree. I am shocked some parents are okay with their 7th grader dating. Insane! Let them be kids - plenty of time to date later in life. Don't encourage them to be ho's in high school. They will eventually get bored of the these little movie theater dates. What next??