Sam

At what age is it appropriate for them to start dating? Is there a specific age for them to be ready?

jmeyer3131

A lot depends on the teen and on what they really consider "dating." My daughter likes a guy. She's 14, and I don't particularly want her to go to movies or places like that with him, but he's welcome over here anytime. I get to know him that way and I don't worry about what they're doing.

I would not be averse to them going to school functions together.

Other things are harder to judge. For example, when she's older I don't necessarily want her going on dates with new drivers. It's a safety issue. We'll probably take each incident as it comes and judge accordingly.

To more directly answer your question, there's no textbook answer. There is no specific age. I know kids who define "dating" as liking each other. You'll often hear kids say they starting dating at age 7 or 8, but obviously they don't define it the same as we do.

The maturity of your teen makes a big difference, and it also makes a difference who they want to date. You don't want too big an age difference, at least not for starters. You also don't want a young teen dating somebody who wants to party. Yet if your teen wants to date somebody who they've been friends with for years, somebody you know and like, start letting them go places like school functions together.

__________________
Janet
www.CanIChangeALife.blogspot.com

penguinmama

Defining "date" is definitely important.

In my family, we don't plan to do "dating." As Christians, we have taught our children that God has someone planned for them, and that they should not give their heart away to just anyone who comes along. I believe today's "dating" scene sets them up for divorce later on - it teaches that relationships are disposable.

A good book related to this is "When God Writes Your Love Story" by Eric & Leslie Ludy.

Teresa

In our family, group dating is encouraged more than one on one dating. We allow them to start group dating at age 15, and they have to be at LEAST 16 to single date, but that depends on their emotional maturity and sense of responsibility. Having good grades in school is part of demonstrating that they are responsible enough to take on the privilege of dating.

__________________

Wife to Barry
Mother to Brian,Adrienne and Amy
Christianity is not a religion like most people think. Christianity is a life of imitating Jesus.

Sam

I love the idea of group dating, that way they are not left alone, especially in this day and age, the kids think that they are ready for everything.

blade

Well my daughters 14 now almost 15, and just about started to get interested into boys. It's all her friends talk about over that msn she goes on! She has a boyfriend at the moment, I haven't met him yet though so don't know what he's like. They don't really go on 'dates' they just meet up after school and weekends sometimes, and she's with him at school all day.
I think it depends on what your teens like really, they all go through different stages at different times.

Thalionore

I started dating when I was 14 and I turned out just fine thanks. The better question is to ask who is right for your child to date. What's the difference between dating a jerk at 14 or 31? The same thing happens.

Teresa

Based on my personal experience, I think you're more equipped to detect a jerk at 31 than at 14, simply because you've had more experience with people.

__________________

Wife to Barry
Mother to Brian,Adrienne and Amy
Christianity is not a religion like most people think. Christianity is a life of imitating Jesus.

SageMother

Since someone isn't likely to marry the jerk at 14, dating one, as long as things aren't dangerous, should be a worthwhile educational experience on many levels.