Jumping feet first into the dating world can be tough. There are so many unknowns. The biggest surprise? You aren’t the one that’s dating. It’s your kid!
The thought of your child dating can send a plethora of emotions and feelings through your brain. What are the other party’s intensions? Do they really like each other or are they just friends? Are they too young? When did they grow up? Please, please, please act appropriately!
So, this is fresh and my emotions are still high. Not too long ago, my oldest was asked to a movie.
Ok … I can do this. I’ve raised her to know what appropriate behavior is. She understands that she’s only 14, most of the time. I trust her. {***Sigh***} That was hard to say. But, I do. She’s not given me a reason not to, yet. Wait, or has she? I mean, there was that one time she tested the limits with my rules, but after correction and conversation, she hasn’t done it again. That’s enough to trust, right?
As you can see, the struggle is real.
None the less, we let her go. {Spoiler alert – she had a great time and everything was fine.}
Since she entered high school and started doing more things away from home without us, or adults to chaperone 100% of the time, my phrases to her when she leaves are these:
“You represent this family when you leave this house.”
&
“Someone will always recognize you so act as if your grandma is there.”
It seems to work. For now at least.
So when is the best time? I’ll tell you that your mom gut won’t steer you wrong here, but you have to do your part to be involved. Have open, non-accusatory, conversations with your children about appropriate dating behavior. Talk about what their expectations are as well as yours. Set ground rules and curfews. The smaller the margins, the less “gray” area there is for a hiccup. I promise, they are just as nervous as you are.
Just a side note – my heart melted a little when her date walked her to the door Saturday night. Chivalry is not dead, y’all!
