Advised by a smart person, I wrote these dating rules for my older daughter just about time boys start noticing girls. Kid read it and made not comments. A couple of years later, she started dating and offered a revision to my rules. Since they are more agreement than regulations, we accepted them.
Parents with daughters, I recommend having a conversation with them when they are about 12 years old. You should actually write your own and put expiration time, based on age, on those rules.
Daddy’s Rules on dating
Last revised on March 30th, 2003.
My primary concern is your safety. Then I worry about your emotional well-being. Last, I worry about your grades in school. I understand that you will not go out with anyone you do not feel comfortable with. But situations may evolve out of control and you may not have the experience on how to deal with them. We trust you, but we also worry when we are not with you.
- The rules may change and not all rules are written down. Note the date of this version.
- Do not drink open beverages (drinks that come in unsealed containers). If not possible, get drinks from the servers directly and do not leave them unattended. When in doubt, do not drink.
- No dating before 15. No dating on school days. No dating if it affects your school works.
- Talk to us, at anytime, about your feelings. This can be a confusing time and we can at least be your sounding board. Let us know if you just want us to listen, or you would like some advice as well.
- Dates should be arranged at least several days in advance.
- You should know the plan beforehand. The plan must include at least the time you will be back home (by curfew). Call when you know you will be late, or when the plan is changing.
- I prefer to bring you to the location and pick you up afterward.
- If we do not know him, he should be introduced.
- Date only in public places. This means you should be in places you can be seen all the time and heard easily. At no time are the two of you to be alone together.
- Carry a cell-phone and keep it on. You may switch to silent mode when ringing is not appropriate (ie. Movies)
- You may call us to pick you up at anytime. As an option, you can request “no question asked” till the next day.
- No physical contact until a substantial relationship has been formed. No hugging, hand-in-hand, leaing against each other, hand on the shoulder, tickling, kissing, etc. Dancing is the exception to this rule.
- Offer, even insist mildly, to pay for your own share of expenses.
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