Hi everyone, I have 4 girls and they are 16, 15, 10 and 7.

My question is how old do you feel is old enough to go on a date? And, would you allow your child to "hang out" with the oppisite sex at your home. We're talking about watching a movie or just hanging out in your home where you can watch them?

My older to are getting to the age they want to hang out with boys and we don't think they are old enough to date, but, we really don't think there is anything wrong with hanging out with a boy if it's at our home where we can watch what's going on.

Please, anyone who is going through this or has already tell me what you think.

I have 4 sons of similar ages: 17,15, 12 and 11. We do not believe in dating. We believe in getting to know the character of a woman through social events and family settings BUT that when the possiblity of marriage is actually possible! When my sons are prepared to provide and protect, which won't be for many years to come.

We see them now as getting to know various girls through church events and group settings but not one on one time even within our home at this time.

My 17 year old recently expressed a desire to get to know better a girl at church but was wiling to do so, for now anyway, to talk with her more at church. After talking to him he realized that to pursue a relationship at this point in his life would be somewhat fruitless and just wrought with many temptations and dangers.

If though, my 17 year old would tell me that he wanted to bring her to our house and spend time with our family, I would not say no. We hold to a courtship mentality but the actually doing of it in reality is somewhat tricky. So far nothing more has transpired other than for them to talk some at church.

If I found my sons to be interested in a girl enough to bring her around home a lot or spend time at her house with her family...I would reiterate some of my concerns about involvement even at this level at their ages when truly they are not ready for marriage..but then I would leave the decision in their hands. At this point we have either trained them up in the way they should go...or not. As adults in my home as long as they stay within moral boundaries that do not defy commandments...some of the higher standards, that I hope they will adhere to, I am willing to let go and have them find their own way. They know I don't want them to date or spend time alone and no physical involvement at all till marriage, and having taught them this since they were very small I see no interest now at their ages to do so.

I know how tricky this level can be. I too am just finding my way. But that is how we have managed it so far. Madre might have some better advice as hers are older and she has been there and done that!

Thank you so much for telling me how you handle this. This is such crazy age and we don't want to blow it. It's hard because there are issues I feel one way about and my hubbie feels another. He likes the boy that my 15 year old is wanting to spend time with. My husband understands the things he is going through. He was a pretty bad family life. The boy totally respects us.

I would love to see what Madre says and what she has done ect. The more advice the better.