A month before turning 18.

My DS decided he wanted a GF in the middle of his junior year (which was the COVID crapola year), and there was conveniently a girl interested. He went out with her as a trial GF, even told me well she isn't the one I'm really interested in but she's interested in me so I will start here. Well fast forward almost two years and they are still together

My DD had her first BF when she was 16. Again similar to my DS, she set about trying to find a BF and this boy was interested and nice and there you go, next thing you know they are dating. Lasted about one year.

Neither kid was interested in dating before this age, so 16-17. There may have been crushes prior but no actual hanging out or anything.

Bump. Anyone with high school kids who are finally in person this year and acting differently?

Anonymous wrote:Parent of 10th grade son (soon to be rising 11th grader) who has never shown a romantic interest in anyone of any gender. Also have an 8th grader daughter who seems to have had many crushes (or at least has lots of discussions about relationships with her friends).

+1. 16 1/2 rising Junior DS. No interest in girls, just hanging with his guy friends - not romantically.

Anonymous wrote:My third grade girl was harassed by a boy this year, so obviously some start early

What did he do to harass her?

DS is a senior. He started showing some interest in girls in middle school but hasn't pursued any relationships in HS, says he isn't into the drama. I think he's also a bit shy with girls and most of his friends don't have girlfriends either.

My son has usually had a “crush” and/or girls interested in him (which he seems to be happy about) every year since first or second grade. I believe it totally innocent. He just finished seventh grade and is just starting puberty, so we’ll see what the next year or two bring.

So all over the map it seemed.

For those of you talking about high school experiences, what did you see with your son or daughter?

Anonymous wrote:My third grade girl was harassed by a boy this year, so obviously some start early

That is sad and I don't mean to diminish at all, but seems an age when can be turned into a learning experience for the boy. I hope that your daughter was protected and empowered, and that the school or parents talked to the boy so he learns respect and appropriate boundaries.

My third grade girl was harassed by a boy this year, so obviously some start early

Oh my. My 9 yr old has been crushing on a girl at school for at least a yr or two. He told me she is the most beautiful girl in the world. A serious Casanova.

Anonymous wrote:My 12 year old nephew (7th grade) tells me about girls he has a crush on or wants to hang out with and doesn't tell his mother (my SIL) anything. Mine are still little but I think in many cases you won't know about your own kids' romantic interests until long after it's started.

+1

At 12. He suddenly spent 20 minutes in the bathroom doing his hair.

In 7th grade

Anonymous wrote:An interest? Back in 4th or 5th grade. That’s when he started talking about who liked who and which girl he liked at the moment. In 6th he had a girlfriend, which meant they occasionally texted “hi.” He stopped talking to us about girls by middle school but he was definitely texting them. He has not gone on a real or even a group date yet. I’m not sure if that will change when things start opening up with Covid. They may be meeting girls out locally in groups when they go out to eat and I don’t know about it.

This. Just because my son is interested in girls doesn't mean he's actually dating anyone. But the interest is there. It's been tough with the pandemic though. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets silly-stupid over someone this summer, now that he's out more.