Preparing Your Son for Dating
The topic of dating can give you an opportunity to interact with your son, answer his questions, and offer advice. Here is what you can do to make sure he makes smart choice when it comes to dating:
Respect and support women. Your son is constantly observing how you model behavior with members of the opposite sex. Respecting, supporting, and loving his mom will help him understand from an early age how to act in the best interests of another person—especially the best interests of a woman with whom you have an important relationship.
Help your son keep relationships at the friendship level. As a teenager, your son is probably not prepared to handle the full responsibilities of a serious relationship. And, if the friendship does lead to a serious romantic relationship, having been good friends can be excellent preparation for that more serious stage in the process.
Encourage group dating. Having other peers around may help your son develop social skills more easily and may help him more easily avoid the temptation to engage in risky behavior.
Encourage your son to meet and know the girl’s parents. This will help your son learn more about how to positively interact with adults. It will also help him know the young woman more fully and be able to better understand her family situation and the ways it has impacted her life.
Make sure your son understands boundaries regarding his behavior. This is a time to continue to discuss with your son, as you have in the past, the topics of sex, drugs, alcohol, and appropriate behavior in every area of life.
Your son should know that if a young woman he dates tries to get him to do something that makes him feel uncomfortable, it is a sign that she is not interested in his well-being, and the relationship should come to an end.
Share your personal dating experiences with your son. Your son wants to know what you learned. You may not want to share too many details, but this is an excellent way to be open with your son, to help him know you better, and to strengthen the father/son relationship.
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