Comments on: Little Lesson #7 Teenager Dating Tips

By: Sherra

Sherra — Fri, 30 May 2008 04:38:10 +0000

Leigh Anne » Double or group dating must include us or Scary Baby. Having a younger sibling comes in handy. I have some issues (oh surprise) with group dates meaning a group of teens with no adult so we’re not really big fans of that.

I want to hear more about “no curfew” and if that got you into trouble??? Surely not – don’t burst my bubble.

Good tip from your MIL – I have the most finely tuned sense of smell that already scares both husband and kids.

By: Sherra

Sherra — Fri, 30 May 2008 04:29:07 +0000

Tina » This will inevitably come out cynical and liberal and but I’ll only admit to the cynical part I do want them to date and get their heart broken not necessarily over and over but at least a time or two. My feeling about that is that they need to have that life experience before they get married and have “the one” break their heart. Part of being successful in marriage is learning how to deal with heartbreak that unfortunately does happen in marriage. It’s the staying married when the honeymoon period is over that is the best life lesson!

But you’re right, you have plenty of time and I want to hear if the rules have changed in about nine years or so. The fun never ends

Tammy » I didn’t include we did have phone calls with parents. It’s still hard for me to believe that parents would just send their kids off in a car and haven’t even seen or talked to us. Calling the girl’s mothers has been fine. Calling the boy’s mothers – a little strange. Or at least that’s what I think they think of me. Does this mean mom care? Ahhhhh…NO. Some stories I have to save for after they leave. The FDHD does provide you with all kinds of valuable information. Can’t wait till you have one so you can share it with us!!!

By: Leigh Anne

Leigh Anne — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:42:29 +0000

We have the “no dating until you’re 16 rule” at our house too. Then it is only double or group dates until you are 18. If that means that your younger sister has to tag along on the date – so be it! I have noticed that this only seems to be a problem for girls that my boys have dated, the boys my daughter has dated don’t seem to mind!

One of our other strict rules is curfew. I grew up as a teenager without a curfew – so thus my children have a curfew (not such a great idea mom!). The motto at our house is “Nothing good ever happens after twelve o’clock at night!” If our children are going to be late – there better be a darn good reason and there better be a phone call before the curew time! I have told them all that if they are not home by curfew I will assume they are dead – otherwise they would have called me and told me they would be late. Do they want me to think they are dead!?

The other rule is they must kiss their mother good night when they come in from their night out. The thought process behind this one is they wouldn’t do anything or drink anything that evening that they wouldn’t want their mother smelling on their breath! Learned this one from my mother-in law.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:23:34 +0000

It is so refreshing to know other parents that have clear and consistent guidelines for the really important stuff. We decided when our girls were little that they would not be able to date until they were 18. We feel really strongly about this for similar reasons to the ones Tina stated above. We also feel like they really need to know who they are and what they want out of life before attaching themselves to another person. Our oldest is totally okay with that because she is ready to go out into the world and begin her career and that is more important to her. Plus, she is quite mature for her age and frankly, boys her age just seem dumb and goofy. (For those of you that have perfectly mature and wonderful teenage boys, please forgive that statement. I know there are some out there! It just seems to be true for those she encounters!) Because our girls know we have a similar system in place like your Fabulously Delightful Home Date Experience (like the new name?), they have yet to meet anyone up to the challenge. Besides, we tacked on meeting and getting to know the boy’s parents as well which seems like double-death to teens! We receive a lot of flack from this especially from family members – go figure?!? – but we are sticking to our guns, doing our best to raise self-aware, responsible, young adults who think before they act (okay, we are still working on that one!) and who know they need to leave the world a better place. You are doing a great job! Keep up the mean mom work! Your kids will thank you one day!

By: Tina Ruddell

Tina Ruddell — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:06:08 +0000

My triplets are 6 1/2, so we have a bit of time for this, but we’ve been talking about having them not do the dating thing–that God has someone out there for them (should He choose), and that we’d rather not have them go through the date/break up cycle over and over like we both did. We’ve explained this to the kids and so far they only want to grow up and marry each other, so it seems we’re safe! ;-D