Teenage Dating: 10 Tips for Parents

Dating among teenagers is a reality and seen by some as a right of passage from childhood to adolescence. Adolescence is also a time when your child wants to fit in, belong and be accepted. Parents must set appropriate boundaries to help their teenager come through this very challenging developmental stage.

1. Decide if your teenager is responsible and emotionally mature enough to handle dating.

2. Look at your teenager's track record. Do they have numerous instances of lying, breaking rules, and not following through on commitments or promises? Past behaviors although not a 100% are strong indicators of future behavior.

3. Discuss which persons and places are off limits.

4. Discuss in advance which dates require adult supervision or chaperones.

5. Know who your teenager will be dating before they ring the doorbell on the first date and have contact information.

6. Set the night(s) on which your teenager can go out on a date.

7. Set an appropriate curfew time and make your teenager stick to it. Decide with your teenager consequences for curfew violations. Research shows that most children and teenagers set much tougher consequences than their parents.

8. Let your teenager know that under no circumstances are they to drink and drive. It is also important to stress to them that they are also not to get into the car with someone who plans to drive after drinking. Tell them to call home for a ride regardless of the hour and no questions will be asked.

9. Be open and frank with your teenager regarding dating and sex. Discuss safer safe practices including appropriate condom and birth control use.

10. Ask your teenager if they are having sex. Remember most teenagers are afraid to be honest with their parents for fear of their reaction. So don't ask if you really don't want to hear the answer.