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I said 16 but DH says 18.

We have a choice? I don't know, I haven't really thought about it. I guess you could say I dated to some extent from around 13 and nothing bad ever came of it, so maybe around that age? Her being mature and responsible enough to date is more important than putting an age on it.

I was 14 when I had my first boyfriend (oh, 9th grade). I'd say that's an appropriate age, since it's high school.

Ive never really thought about it. I was 16 when DH and I started dating. My parents never gave my sister and I an age limit. DH was my first "real" boyfriend and I was responsible with school work and all that, so my parents didn't have a problem with us dating. In my experience, kids whose parents are extremely strict about dating are the ones who usually sneak around and get into more trouble.

I'm unsure - I think group "dates" to movies/theme parks/etc. is fine or hanging out at someone's house. I don't know if I agree with solo restaurant dates before driving age though.

Once he's able to drive, he can solo date. If he wants to go out in groups with a "girlfriend" in the group, I'd be fine with that whenever. My friends had "boyfriends" in like 6th grade and the extent of that was sitting at the same table in the cafeteria and meeting up at the mall and sharing a frappuccino lol.

My parents said not until college... I met DH two months after I moved out for school and we started living together after a few months. I think my parents were a little shocked.

I never had an age limit, either. Then again, I never wanted a boyfriend in high school (gah! commitment - blech! i'd rather just make out once and call it a day.)

i like @Crumbs: idea of a dating protocol. We have a son right now and I'd say not only do I want the girl to meet us, but he must meet her parents as well!

16.

My parents said I could never date. totally serious. But I started dating just months after turning 18 They weren't thrilled but I was an adult and they couldn't do anything.

Actually there were HUGE rifts between my mom and I for this very issue. I had a pseudo-boyfriend when I was 16 but couldn't really date him because of my parents. Although I know I wouldn't have stayed with him for long I still think that at 16 I should have had the freedom to make that choice.

So I think 16 I will give the cautionary okay, and definitely still "regulate" dates haha.

@mrbee: hahah that has worked with a lot of my HS friends! Between dance, sports, clubs at school, friends, church, etc there was no time for boyfriends

@regberadaisy: I didn't vote. But I wouldn't be unhappy if she waited until 18 (or later!).

Probably 16, but later would be best.

I don't think I could set an arbitrary age for dating. I plan on determining if DS is ready by his behavior/attitude. I think I was allowed to start dating (not group dates--one on one dates) around 15. If DS is responsible and mature enough, then 14-15 is fine with me. If I think he can't handle it, I will hold out until he is older.

@Mrs. Pen: @regberadaisy: yeah that's the thing, it's not seriously dating at like 12-13 it's just like hanging around in a big group of people and calling one your boyfriend. Maybe walking to school together or something like that... not restaurants or the cinema.. couldn't afford that at the time!

@mrsjyw: hahahaa, a friend told us that little tidbit when we found out we were having a boy!

Hmmm dating in our home is about finding a spouse so it will be presented as such to our kids. I find it highly doubtful any of them will be seeking to wed at 16 so it shouldn't be much of an issue. lol. In all seriousness though it wouldn't be before 16, probably later.

Wait, what's considered dating? Is walking to the local pizzeria with a boy considered a date? Because I don't think they do the formal courting with flowers and song here.

I don't know, I think we'll cross that bridge when we get there. If she wants to date in middle school, but dating just means holding hands in the hallways and talking on the phone and going on group dates, I'd probably be ok with that.