Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums High School couple questions

kids who are younger than their classmates(perhaps they've skipped)--what have you determined on the policy of their friends driving? What about the disadvantage of having jobs (underage) or community service opportunities? What about dating when their friends are dating and they're a couple yrs younger?

First, I had a line drawn that I couldn't date until I was 16, which meant graduating and going to college. But I dealt with it. Tried hard to push it, but my mother was resistant. She was big on I was a woman, women get pregnant, no sex until I graduated and had a job. No moral thing, just responsibility. Two weeks after getting job....

Driving, just waited. As soon as I could, I got my learner's permit. From a female perspective. Yes, others could. And yes, others wore bras earlier. I just didn't. Didn't work during high school, others did. Though, because of my attitude, I got really cool summer jobs.

Ren

I think dating ought to be about when you're ready, not about a number.

I started dating when I was 14yo. I was in a 3yr. relationship with a very nice guy 3yrs. older than I was. (He drove! LOL!) We never had sex. I didn't have sex until I was in college.

I met some horribly irresponsible people in my life who probably shouldn't be allowed to date...EVER!

<shrug>

That's from my experience as a kid, not as a parent though, FWIW...

so far it hasn't been an issue (though I'm suddenly anxious for oldest to learn to drive...)so tired of going & being late everywhere.

I know someone who lost her virginity at 12 (yrs before I did) but I think she was more responsible/well-thought out, so I agree the random assigning of a number may not fit all (but it's a great excuse as a parent!)

LOL! Yes, as a parent, I now think age 35 sounds pretty swell as a year my kids can start dating!

My oldest asked to "sleep" over his friend's house last night. I hate sleep overs because they basically have nothing to do with sleep. They play xbox all night and come home grumpy the next day. I was starting to whine about that to ds and he said, "if you want to say no, just say no" (basically I needed to make the decision & not complain). I think there's a little comfort in someone else deciding these things (at least for ds).