| Being parents of a 14-year-old teenage boy is difficult | | | | alone together. Other rules that we had were there |
| enough when they are becoming more and more | | | | was to be no physical contact, except they could sit |
| independent and their body is changing and | | | | next to one another and maybe hold hands. Anything |
| testosterone is increasing, but when dating comes | | | | else was out of the question. Now, that may seem |
| into the picture, it's even more a challenge. As | | | | extreme to some parents, but in this world today, |
| Christian parents in this fast-paced world and trying | | | | kids are taught by their peers that anything goes. So, |
| to raise our children in a godly way, setting strict | | | | dating rules can be quite challenging, in order to |
| dating rules and guidelines is, in my husband's and my | | | | reverse that sort of thinking, unless you've done it all |
| opinion, detrimental. We needed to seriously pray | | | | your children's lives. |
| about the idea. | | | | Our son and his new girl friend agreed to our |
| The first question my husband and I asked each | | | | Christian dating rules. In fact, so did her parents. We |
| other was, "Is he too young emotionally and | | | | felt an obligation to "inform" them of how we felt |
| age-wise to be dating?" It took quite some time and | | | | about this whole idea of dating, and much to our |
| many discussions later to come up with a solution to | | | | surprise, they agreed whole-heartedly to the rules. |
| this dilemma. We had to really pray about the | | | | Our son's girl friend is a Christian, we believe, but we |
| decision we made, because there was no turning | | | | don't know if her parents are as well. Now, some |
| back once we verbally agreed. So, we prayed hard. | | | | day, when our son is old enough to get married, |
| Our son showed us his responsibilities in other ways | | | | that'll be another topic to discuss! But, for now, |
| like working a full-time job during the summer, doing | | | | dating is the first crisis in our teenage son's life. And |
| his household chores without us asking, and | | | | we'll deal with one problem at a time! |
| accomplishing his school work with wonderful grades. | | | | Now, our advice for setting rules is just to sit down |
| So, we took all that into consideration, and we | | | | together with your son or daughter and just talk |
| decided that emotionally he probably would be ready. | | | | calmly about the situation. Don't get overly excited |
| Age-wise was another consideration. Our son always | | | | about the idea and jump to conclusions like I did as a |
| acted older than his years ever since he was a baby. | | | | mom. Pray about the idea together as a family and |
| He wanted to do things that seemed too difficult for | | | | work out any problem areas that may arise. Don't |
| him to achieve, but he, most of the time, would | | | | ever assume anything and always be on the alert. |
| prove us wrong. The problem was and still is he | | | | Set strict rules and be consistent with them. But, |
| thinks he knows everything and we don't know | | | | most of all, don't choke the life out of your teenager |
| anything! So, with that in mind, we had to approach | | | | while doing so, because if you're not willing to work |
| the big question of dating rules with delicacy. | | | | things out together as a family to make everyone |
| We allowed him to see this girl he was interested in, | | | | happy, your teenager will find a way to rebel. And |
| but with strict guidance. She was invited to our home | | | | that is not the way, in our opinion, to make for a |
| anytime within reason, BUT they could never be | | | | peaceful, happy Christian home life. |