Anonymous wrote:My son is starting 5th grade and definitely interested in girls. He asked me when he’s allowed to start dating. I’d say a few of his friends talk about cute girls and most have zero interest. The same seems true when we see girls in public. Some speak to the boys and giggle, some say hi and many are still disgusted and ignore.

Just because the girls are disgusted and ignore, doesn't mean that they don't like some boys, it just means they don't like that particular boy. My 6th grade daughter thinks most boys in her grade are gross and is very open about saying so, but she still has a crush on one and is totally in love with Finn Wolford.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this generation has much more variety on this than when I was a kid in the 70s. I always liked boys, but I grew up w/ Barbie and Ken and princesses needing princes. My kids (14 & 12) have no interest in boys. None. Love it! They are passionate about math, music, literature, cooking, dance and theatre. I'll take that over boys any day!

Don't be too sure of that. I think it's safer to assume they do have crushes on boys, but don't feel comfortable talking to you about it. Really, most kids this age don't like discussing their crushes with their parents.

This. I had a crush on a boy starting at age 8 that lasted years. Years! Didn't know much about sex or anything, but can remember thinking about him a lot, and feeling happy when I got to interact with him. I never mentioned a word of any of this to my mom or dad.