Some parents say no to dating in high school. Others see it as another way of socializing. What’s your take? When should kids date? Chloe tells today’s story about the proclamation she made at age 4 that made her parents realize she would need some extra boundaries around dating.
Our chat in this episode starts with what dating actually is at different ages. Is it really dating if you’re 13 and can’t go anywhere? Or at that age, is dating more about labels? When kids are in middle school, they’re searching for identity. Being so-and-so’s girlfriend might help your child feel like she’s someone. It’s the perfect opportunity to talk to her about what defines her and where her value comes from. Hint: It’s not from how many people want to “go out” with her.
In this episode, we cover several dating topics, like whether the purpose of dating is marriage and what that actually means. We talk about how to respond when your teenager claims to be in love. You never know! This might be the person your teen will eventually marry, so tread lightly.
If you have a child who doesn’t want to date and is too busy with friends and activities, you can help her feel confident that her decision is normal. There’s nothing wrong with not dating in high school. What matters is that your child knows her worth is not wrapped up in her relationship status, whether that’s “single” or “taken.”
Articles We Mentioned
5 Ways to Set Your Kids up for Dating Success
7 Things to Say When Your Teen Says “I’m in Love”
5 Ways to Survive Teenage Love
4 Traits That Show Your Teen Is Ready to Date
Middle School Romance: The Pros and Cons
So Your Child is “Dating”…
Is 8 Too Young for a Crush?
Printables We Think You’ll Like
When should kids date? When did you start dating, and would you encourage your kids to do the same?
