I didn't sneak around and date either because I didn't want to get into trouble with my parents. I wasn't allowed to date until I was 18 because I had very strict parents.If anything, youngsters in the group spend as much time interacting with their same-sex friends as they do with members of the opposite sex. Ron Eagar, a pediatrician at Denver Health Medical Center, views group dating as a healthy way for adolescents to ease into the dating pool rather than dive in.“The number-one benefit is safety,” says the father of two grown children.By the way, my husband was a late bloomer and started dating at 19. A Confused Mother Dear Mother, I completely understand why you are confused.First, the definition of dating is different these days than it was when you and your husband were younger.

Seriously, dating age depends upon all kinds of factors, and varies from child to child, even within the same family. Never consider your neighborhood’s “average age” when making your decision. Parents used to expect instinctively to be challenged by their kids, especially in judgments of how fast one should grow up. If you make kids too different, they’ll feel like weirdos who don’t fit in. First date at age 14 leads to a 50% chance; first date at age 16, 20% chance. I figure if I make the list long enough, my kids won’t be eligible to date until they move out. We hang out alot and have fun together, and i know he likes me.Im just kind of worried about what my parents will think if i start hanging out with him too much.Don’t confuse group dating with double-dating or triple-dating.While there may be the occasional romantic twosome among the members, the majority are unattached.Being a parent means committing to guide your child through many complicated and difficult stages of life.You go from changing their diapers, to teaching them how to tie their shoes, to eventually helping them understand dating and love.