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Whenever they choose to. Who am I to deny them something they might want. All they will do is sneak behind your back anyway. And middle school dating is very innocent. Group outings, FaceTiming, etc... It really builds a solid foundation on what they want to look for in someone, if they should stay with someone, how they should be treated, etc...

I have seen so many high schoolers first allowed to date at 16yr old and they are like 5th graders and let people treat them like crap and walk all over them and dictate the relationship. They leave on their own 2 years later. I rather them build a better foundation before leaving home.

Anonymous wrote:No dating until they are away at college.

This is a big mistake. I all but insisted my kids date in high school. Get some experience while you're still in the safety of your parents' home. Don't date for the first time when you're far from home and have minimal support system.

No dating until they are away at college.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:16 assuming actually date. And I do meet parents, make the kid feel welcome at my house for meals, homework, etc. Hopefully give them a safe place to hang out together, so there's no sneaking around.

How the heck do you “meet the parents”?

You tell the kid your son/daughter is dating that you want to meeting his/her parents. Or to be introduced at the next event (assuming they met each other through school or an activity).
I also get the boyfriend/girlfriend's phone number.

Lol! My kids are “just talking” for 6 months before I even hear a name. Then I’m gonna “meet the parents” for what purpose?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:16 assuming actually date. And I do meet parents, make the kid feel welcome at my house for meals, homework, etc. Hopefully give them a safe place to hang out together, so there's no sneaking around.

How the heck do you “meet the parents”?

You tell the kid your son/daughter is dating that you want to meeting his/her parents. Or to be introduced at the next event (assuming they met each other through school or an activity).
I also get the boyfriend/girlfriend's phone number.

Anonymous wrote:What age is ok to start dating? And then how do you approach it? How involved do you get as parents? How do they even meet up when they don't drive yet? Do you meet the parents?

When they want to. I don't really have to approach it - the kids approach it themselves. We have had numerous talks about what dating should look like, what a healthy relationship is, red flags, etc. I tell them they can always use me as an excuse for anywhere they don't want to go or anything they don't want to do. We live in the city - the kids take mass transit and uber. Sometimes we meet parents, sometimes we don't. It's more important to meet the kid your kid is dating than to meet their parents.

Far too many factors for one blanket rule. For my kid if it's someone she's known for years I'd be okay if at 14 she wanted to do a group date type of thing. Solo date? Probably closer to 16. She's currently 12 and has zero interest.

Anonymous wrote:16 assuming actually date. And I do meet parents, make the kid feel welcome at my house for meals, homework, etc. Hopefully give them a safe place to hang out together, so there's no sneaking around.

How the heck do you “meet the parents”?

16 assuming actually date. And I do meet parents, make the kid feel welcome at my house for meals, homework, etc. Hopefully give them a safe place to hang out together, so there's no sneaking around.

9th grade

Define dating

16, same as when I was allowed

14 if they want to. I offer to drive them, drop off and pick up. I don't get involved and don't need to meet the parents when it's not serious.

What age is ok to start dating? And then how do you approach it? How involved do you get as parents? How do they even meet up when they don't drive yet? Do you meet the parents?