is it too soon to go out when your 13?

Question

my daughter has been begging me to let her date, but is she old enough?

Answer 1

there is no need to date unless you are ready to get married.

Answer 2

A lot of whether or not she's ready has to do with her maturity. It's awesome that she's even asking to begin with. How well do you think she can handle/ control herself? Personally, I think that you should let her date as long as you set some limits. Maybe she can only date before the evening, maybe only on group dates with friends you trust. Maybe she has to bring him home for lunch or dinner first so you can meet him. You could do things like bowling where you and the rest of the family are there, but put a few lanes between you guys and the kids have some privacy. Either way, I think that she should be allowed, at least a little. When I was younger, I wasn't allowed so I did it behind my mother's back. Big mistake. Looking back, sneaking around put me in situations where peer pressure was stronger and I didn't have my mom as an out because she didn't know I was there to begin with. Whatever you do, keep your lines of communication open, wide. If not, she might not come to you when she needs you.

Answer 3

It is too soon for her to date anyone without close supervision. Kids at 13 are doing a LOT more than holding hands and kissing these days. I would let her have her friend over while you are home or take them to a show and sit somewhere in view of them, etc. Don't think you are being mean or that you are the only mom to not let your child date. I made mine wait but apparently 17 was too early too because now I am raising my granddaughter! Hope this helps a little at least. Good luck!

Answer 4

I would say no.

I was not allowed to "date" until I was 16 and even then I did not find a guy I really wanted to date until I was 18! This was because I had extra years to mature and realize that I didn't need male acceptance. Also if you let a 13 year old date you are just asking for her to become sexually active at a young age as well. Instead I would tell her to invite friends over to your house (both boys and girls) to "hang out", this will satisfy her need to be around boys but will also prevent anything unwanted happening as you can chaperone and also is not saying "i'm letting you date one boy".

Answer 5

I would say let her as long as she goes with a group of friends.. but I know from how I was that she may leave with friends but there is no garauntee they won't split up and be given alone time. Talk to her about maybe having him come to the house for dinner and letting them watch a movie on the couch. With you in the next room of course. She may get upset but no matter how mature she is dating is too much responsibility at 13. It's a scary world out there and dating certainly doesn't make it any better. Let her go to dances with date as long he isn't driving. I always hated the age limit but she shouldn't be dating a guy who is driving. She may say she's ready but you'll probably be helping more than she'll ever meet your eye and admit.
Megan

Answer 6

Rava, Let Me Tell Ya What!!!!I went on my "first date" at 13. It was a school sponsored hayride with "chaparones" My 2nd date at 13 was a trip to Kings Island.This date didn't go so well cause I found out those rides (rollercoasters,Wild mouse,ferris wheel of which I was afraid of hts and she wasn't)My 3rd date was to a school sponsored dance(Not good either cause I didn't know how to dance) Now in my town ya could walk to a movie theatre or to get an icecream. That is where my 4th and 5th date was at . Then they closed the local theatres so my next date and I were driven by my date's Dad(ONE MEAN LOOKIN' SOB) I later worked with him in my 20's as his supervisor and still called him Mr. The other guys on the line always asked him "Why does he call you Mr. and the rest of us by our first name?" He never told ,Thank GOD, cause if they had known I was that young You would not believe the "razzing both of us would have taken!!! At 15 , a date was to a ball game that either I played in or didn't, or a trip to the icecream store. But like the song "THAT WAS MY TOWN "!!So ,now times are different,because people live in the suburbs and their kids have to be driven everywhere. So date to the mall for icecream or just to window shop( one sure way for a date to go sour is go shopping with a girl,cause a guy can't handle all that a 13 yr old girl wants to look at) Just have a "little talk" about "The Facts of Life" and if you have raised her to respect herself and her parents, and they have to be dropped off and picked up (Dad, remember to put on a "Bulldog Face" ) I see no reason for a "date" to be postponed to 16. So let her

Answer 7

I think that 13 is a little too young to date. By letting your child date at 13 you a promoting for him/her to develop more quickly..than they should be.
I think that it would be ok, if you explain to her, that you would allow her to hang out with boys as friends...possibly in group settings..in public. ie movies, pizza, mall etc.
However, allowing her to be boyfriend/girlfriend at age 13 is not acceptable . Think about how others would view that?!. most people are not understanding, although im sure you are a good parent..other people draw some nasty conclusions sometimes.
Let her talk on the net..phone..etc. with boys (she and you knows) that is more innocent.
-signed, 21 year old, whos mother let her date too early lol

Answer 8

Depends on the boy, but 13 is young. Wait out till 16.

Answer 9

She is 13. You have a very heavy hand on the fact that she can not drive.

Their are basic levels of dating that progress with age. I bet she thinks dating is to see a movie and get food-- after that the girl is going to giggle herself happy the rest of the weekend. lol

You should go with to the movies and food with them. I suggest having her other female friends go along. It would be a family and friend thing.

Answer 10

Yes 13 is a reasonable age to let her date, Providing you find out as much information you can about the boy shes dating, talk to his parents etc... make sure he isnt some big 20yr old dude. Dont listen to these people telling you shes too young, cuz if u dont let her go i can guarantee shes gonna sneak out and do it behind your back. Just let her know u gonna drop her and pick her up etc.

Answer 11

Kids "date" each other, whether parents like it or not. It is really just a title though, and it means they hold hands in the hall and talk on the phone. At that age most kids aren't doing a whole lot else. You can prevent her from going "out on dates" but you can't prevent her from having these little relationships (going out with someone) that kids that age have.