dating?

[Blaze]

Love is a complicated matter but I believe it does no harm if you let your child court since it is with supervision then it can do no harm especially if love is the issue.

My parents won't even let me court and I respsect their desicion but I would like an oppinion from my fellow and faithful board members.

[WayneB]

Love is a complicated matter but I believe it does no harm if you let your child court since it is with supervision then it can do no harm especially if love is the issue.

My parents won't even let me court and I respsect their desicion but I would like an oppinion from my fellow and faithful board members.

It is 100% between you and your parents. Each situation is different.

My sons are 22 and 20 working and going to school. They don't have time to date!

[IslandRose]

I always told my kids they could start dating when they were 25 and maybe get married at 30......LOL

Actually my elder daughter didn't date until after she finished college, and then she married her first real boyfriend.

My other two are 20 and 18. They both go to a strict Christian college and they are not allowed to date except in groups. There are a lot of dangers involved in the traditional boy/girl dating situations. I believe getting to know one another in groups of other Christian young people or under parental supervision is probably the wisest choice.

[Guest LadyC]

Love is a complicated matter but I believe it does no harm if you let your child court since it is with supervision then it can do no harm especially if love is the issue.

My parents won't even let me court and I respsect their desicion but I would like an oppinion from my fellow and faithful board members.

given the options, wait until he's 14 or 16, i have to ask... how old ARE you?

the 'standard' age of dating is 16. many christian parents will, even then, allow only group-dates... i kinda like the group date standard myself, but have allowed both my daughters to start dating at the age of 16.

personally, i don't necessarily think a person should date until they are:

1. able to drive (legally)

2. able to pay for their own gas

3. able to pay for their own dates

[Guest LCPGUY]

Blaze, it appears you have very wise parents. Honor them and obey them because you see, now matter how it seems to you, they only YOUR BEST INTERESTS in mind.

We have all, or at least most of us, been through what you are experiencing at your tender age. Been there, done that so to speak. Looking back, at times I came close to hating my parents because they wouldn't let me date. Now, I thank God for such caring and loving parents. They knew best. I didn't. I was only operating by emotion and desire.

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long..." EXO. 20:12 NKJV. This is the only commandment that carries with it a promise, a reward.

Blaze, give thanks to God for giving you such caring parents! You are well on your way it appears to being a great servant of our Lord, demonstrated simply by the fact that you are seeking wisdom and guidance from your brothers and sisters in Christ.

John

[nebula]

My opinion?

I have come to understand that our bodies develop into young adults at around the age of 12 - give our take a few years - but our society keeps us as children until age 18 or 21, depending on the focus. That means we live for years with adult desires but are not allowed to express those for a long time. Where it would make more sense for our society to wean teenagers into adulthood, we continue to stiffle them in the "child" box.

Slightly off topic, but not quite.

In my opinion, the best thing you can do is to accept the position you are in rather than fight it (you will on ly frustrate yourself). But even more, show yourself faithful and trustworty. For example, if you are out late, either respect the curfew or give your parents a call so that they know where you are and what you are doing (it is amazing how just touching base with your parents on your whereabouts and activities can make them feel safe in letting you go). Be responsible around the house - like doing your end of the chores without having to be asked. This shows to your parents that you care and are willing to act maturely and responsibly. Seriously!

Let your teen years be your training ground to learn how to stand on your own as an adult, rather than regarding them as "party years" like your peers - you will be amazed at the results!

Sound reasonable?

[Ovedya]

Moved.

[Work in Progress]

When I was in High School, the norm was to "go with" ONE person, to the exclusion of all others. How wrong, IMO.

I encourage my kids to DATE as many people as they can - provided they use one criteria - that they are Christians- so that they can experience as many different people as possible. JMO.

[Andrew007]

I couldn't vote. In my most humble opinion, dating is not to be done until after High school. Kids should be focusing on their relationship with Christ and studies. Once the teens life is in line completely with God - and God takes the place of the longing for a girlfriend or boyfriend - THEN the right person will be there for you when the time is right. I think this also goes for single adults - but I don't know, because I'm not one. I might be a little niave on this subject, but I don't know. I just know that I have chosen NOT to date until after high school or when my life is inline with God. Also, I'd like to make the point that not many high school relationships end up in marriage. I understand that dating is essential to finding the right person, but I think thats better to be done in a group. Just my opinion... I dunno...

[Hvnly1Rose]

I have a 16 yr old daughter and this subject has come up quite often. When it comes to dating it is really important that, just because you have these strong hormonal feelings and may even feel as though you are very much in Like/Love with this person, you are not truely emotionally mature enough to handle the responsiblity of a relationship at the ripe young age of 12-18. I have found that once you spend time with any one person in a group setting as well as within parental supervision you do get to know a person better. I have to say that until you are at least 16 you don't even have a true understanding of yourself nor a maturity in the Lord to even consider a relationship with someone. Remember that God has already chosen a mate for you and that one is who you need to wait for. This person should love God more than you, and have a strong foundation in the Lord as should you. The only way a relationship/marriage is going to work is if God is head of you both. Focus on your relationship with God and He will tell you who he wants you to be with and that Love will blossom and grow because it was put together by God and not by you or anyone else. It is not necessary to test all the fish out there because God will let you know...and you will know.