Don’t Rush Your Kids Toward Romance

Some parents see no harm in letting their children pair off in puppy love relationships, and some even playfully encourage it as young as the preschool and grammar school years. But a growing number of parents believe in these 4 Reasons to Delay Romance for kids, like sparing them unnecessary social drama and a premature interest in sex. Whatever your decision, use these Dating TALK Conversation Starters as a way to share your guidelines for when it’s OK to consider a relationship more than a friendship. Sure, crushes are going to happen—that’s a natural part of growing up. But our children need to know how to handle those feelings, and they need some protection until they’re mature enough to do so on their own.

So what do you do if your too-young child announces they’re “going out” with someone, or they have a boyfriend or girlfriend?  Here’s what to say to stop the “relationship” in its tracks.  Then, when your kids are old enough to date, have them read and sign this printable Dating Worksheet.