Are Teens Dating Younger These Days?
Q: I have a 15-year-old stepdaughter who wants to begin to date. As usual, we hear, "All the other girls get to do it." Isn't this rather young to be going on a car date with a guy?By all means, do not let your 15-year-old stepdaughter begin car dates. If you do, you won't know where she and her date will go, what they will be doing or where they will end up. She may need to get home but might not even know the way from the location. I was a 15-year-old who began car dates and ended up becoming a mom at sixteen. Kids are going to do whatever they want anyway -- but why make it easier? - A. R. in WI
If you are concerned that "all her friends are doing it" then call their parents and ask. If they are all going on car dates at this age, then something is really wrong with those parents. Stick up for yourself and your daughter and tell her she cannot go out on car dates. If you don't, you will be sorry. If you do stand up and be the parent, she will be rude and snotty for a while, but it will pass. I slipped out of my parent's house when I was fifteen to date an older guy and ended up pregnant. He left town and I was stuck with a newborn, whom at the time, I did not want. I thought I was grown up but really had to grow up with a new baby. - R. P. in Kansas
From Jodie: Besides just being too young, who is she trying to go out on a date with? Have you asked? Most 15-year-old boys do not even have their driver's license and if they do, often they are restricted. With this in mind, she may be trying to date an older teen. Not always, but more often than not, younger girls dating older boys lead to experiences that you don't want your stepdaughter to be involved in. Most 15-year-old girls are quite mature, both emotionally and physically, but they don't yet understand how young males think (though most of us may never). Even older, more experienced girls are lead into doing things they don't want because of the heat of the moment. Level-headed, intelligent girls can still make poor decisions when pressure is placed on them. Given that there are different social customs depending on where one lives, I still see most teens of that age hanging out in groups. Parents still take them from one event to another. This is good because it provides safety and a more controlled environment. If her friends really are car dating, then she may need to find new ones, which is easier said than done, I know. Either way, going out on car dates at this age is way too early. It’s not easy raising kids in today’s society, especially teens. Tell her she cannot. Oh sure, you will hear whining, and maybe even some back talk and probably have to deal with pouting, but you will be saving yourself some unnecessary headaches and possibly tremendous heartache, not to mention the same for her, by following through with your gut instinct.
Can you help?
I loaned out some baby clothes to a good friend who has loaned them out to someone else without my permission. I plan on having another baby and want these clothes to be in the best shape possible. What is the best way to handle this situation without ruining a long time friendship?
Please share your tips and help other parents. Send them - or other parenting questions - to: Parent to Parent, 2464 Taylor Rd. Suite 131, Wildwood, MO 63040.
© 2007 Jodie Lynn
Please share your tips and help other parents. Send them - or other parenting questions - to: Parent to Parent, 2464 Taylor Rd. Suite 131, Wildwood, MO 63040. Send e-mail to: here or through the ParentToParent.com website. Jodie Lynn's latest book is Mom CEO (Chief Everything Officer) - Having, Doing, and Surviving It All!, (Stacey Kannenberg Unlimited, an imprint of Cedar Valley Publishing, $14.95).
