Whenever you feel a person or situation is unsafe, call it what it is. Don’t sit on the sidelines. You might make your teen upset, but it is worth it to keep them safe. If your daughter is dating a boy who is pushing sexual boundaries, degrading her, or using her to build his rocky reputation, it needs to end. Create space for a calm, respectful conversation and share the hard truth with her. She might not think you’re her friend in the moment, but later, when you saved her from a dumpster-fire relationship, she will recognize you were being her parent and best friend.
The same goes for your teen sons. If they are ever in a situation or with someone who is unsafe, step in and let them know it’s time to end the relationship. Both teen boys and girls need proper guidance and safety when it comes to dating. Teenage years are hard and can cause them to do things they will regret in the future. Teens are just learning what boundaries, self-respect, and long-term consequences are, but mixed with peer pressure, it’s a hard season to navigate. Choose to be the parent who stands in the gap, guiding and protecting them, even if you lose cool points with your child.
As a mom or a dad to a teen, all you can do is try your best. Monitor your teen’s dating, but don’t be overbearing. Help your teen know that you are not against dating—you just want to ensure they are ready to date and are ready for the maturity it requires.
Nonetheless, remember that you are the parent, and you know what is best. Do what you feel is best for your child and what will bring glory to God. If that means placing an age threshold on the dating period, then that is what must be done. However, if you want to be more flexible and you trust your teen, you can allow them to date with the specific instructions that you have to approve of the person before they start dating them. This will help clear up any questions for you or your teen, prioritizing their safety and the hard season of life they are navigating.
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