Dating Dos and Don'ts

The National Fatherhood Initiative offers some tips to parents in the article linked in the title of this post.

1. First, Dads: Set a Good Example. "Treat the mother of your children with respect. Your sons will learn how to treat women well and your daughters will have good standards for the men that come into their life. It may seem trite, but it really is true - kids may learn more from your behavior than they learn from the words you say."

2. Practice listening. "Give your kids a chance to sound off about relationships and the opposite sex. Spend one on one time with your kids and earn their trust."

3. Speak the lingo. Take the time to learn about the sublanguage used in text messages and instant messages. Monitor the time that your kids spend online. Consider having all computers in a public room of the house, not in their bedroom.

4. Set Boundaries. "This point is crucial. Time, locations, activities, and required numbers (group dates vs. one on one dates) should all be included. Discuss how you came to these boundaries with your kids and let them join in the discussion as appropriate. Remember to adjust boundaries according to your kids' age and maturity levels."

5. Be In The Know. "Meet your kids' friends and their dates. Ask questions. No, your teen won't like it, but being a parent sometimes means you can't be a friend."

6. Start Early. Don't wait for the perfect moment to have a talk...it will never happen.