When should we let our children start dating?

You are doing what a mom should do..there is nothing wrong with what you are doing currently..don't let them too much out alone..it's your son..you know you can trust him but he is getting into teenage..so have to be careful.. I am not sure to say an appropriate age as in my country dating is a new thing and not practiced openly.. guys do it secretly so it's hard for me to tell and appropriate age..anyway... keep an eye..you know your son much better then anyone..take care..happy life..

I will probably be called old fashion here or too protective but honestly I don't feel like kids should be dating until 15 or 16. Kids grow up so quick now and I don't want my kids to lose their childhood too quickly. Your childhood goes by SO quick as it is. Why rush things? They have plenty of time to have girlfriends/boyfriends... Just my opinion though.

hi... It is natural for you to be protective, afterall you are his Mom. Just please do not over do it. It is a delicate age and the children are prone to getting rebellious. If you keep restricting him, he might treat you as enemy (subconsciously) too.. This is harsh statement, I understand. But I have suffered too, when I was a child and I know what I did. Let him understand that you are his best friend and want the best for him. If you don't to let them out together alone, then let them be in your house together.. Let them a little privacy... Remember, despite of your restrictions they can meet privately and your son might hide it from you. Talk to him tonight. Let him know that you want the best for him...

12 might be a little young to do something like that, especially with the way things are going on in our society. I have a little brother who is turning 16 next month, and he has a 'girlfriend' and my parents don't have much of a problem with him about her. He doesn't go hanging out at her house or go on dates, unless our mother is going, and this is the first time. When I was his age, my family had a problem with me having female friends, so I didn't actually start hanging out with them until I moved out at 18. It is kind of weird about how they do this for us. They don't mind him having female friends, but I guess the goal for me was to become a monk. Even now, at 31, my family still has a problem with me having female friends, which make me uncomfortable. So, in order for me to have a healthy relationship with someone, I would have to distance myself from my family. I hope they don't do this to my brother.

You are doing the right thing. You daughter is considered a child at this stage and if anything happens to her, you will be responsible. You should only let a child out when she reaches the adult age which is 18 years and above but even thoug, you need to know what type of friends she goes out with.

It would be okay if you let your child to go out on date but with chaperone because these ages are curious and do things that they do not know about the consequences.

I think it is completely dependant on the child themselves. I dated at 12 but I also understood what my boundries would be and discussed openly where and what I would be doing. I had respect for my parents to not lie and they trusted me therefore I was permitted to date. I understand where your comming from though, my children are not really showing interest in girls yet my oldest being nine. I'm not sure when it came down to it I would want him dating in 3 years, its kinda scary to think about