When Are They Old Enough To…

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-21-2005
When Are They Old Enough To…
15
Mon, 02-26-2007 - 9:43am

We’re looking for opinionated moms who might want to share their thoughts on this topic for an upcoming segment on the Today show


Does your first-grader have a cell phone? Is 13 too young to date? We want your honest opinions on when a child is really ready to:


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Community Leader
Registered: 12-16-2003
Wed, 02-28-2007 - 4:49pm

Go to the mall or movies without a parent Depends on teh mall, who they are with, what time of the day. et... I have dropped dd off with her friends, and I have been in the mall , but they went their way and I went mine. I loved hanging out in the mall as a kid, and never got into trouble.

· Attend a boy-girl party Depends on the party, who is going to be there, time of day, etc.... Dd had a party with guys to watch the Superbowl, dh and I were here.

· Get a cell phone? My kids are in a million activiteis. Dd has had one since 5th grade, and we may have to get ds one about then as well.

· Drive without a parent? Depends on the law anad maturity of the kid

· Stay home alone Depends on the kids, neighborhood, time of day, etc... to many variables on this one. My kids have stayed home all day while dh and I went to work, but I work part time and my mom is only 20 minutes away and always ready for a call if they have questions. This is also a life skill that has to be learned. You can't just leave a kid once he turns 13 for 8 hours, it has to be a few minutes then go up in times slowly.

· Wear makeup or shave legs? Depends on the need

· Go on a date? Not until high school

· Get ears pierced? We had dd done as an infant.

Ramona  Mom to 2 great kids and wife to one wonderful hubby since 1990!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Wed, 02-28-2007 - 8:36pm

Go to the mall or movies without a parent
8th grade. Though dd hasn't really shown interest in doing this yet

· Attend a boy-girl party
10th or 11th grade. And there MUST be parent supervision

· Get a cell phone
I know I'm going to be in the minority here. Dd won't get one probably until she can drive. She doesn't need it right now.

· Drive without a parent
After they get their licence, when they prove to be a responsible driver

· Stay home alone
When they show maturity. Dd didn't start staying home by herself until 5th grade, and it was only for short periods of time. Only this year (she's 13) has she stayed at home with her 4th grade sister.

· Wear makeup or shave legs
Makeup, when they can apply it without looking like a clown. Even then it's not necessary unless they're going out or doing something special. Maybe in high school everyday. Shave- when it's needed. Dd told me in the summer of 5th grade she wanted to shave her legs.

· Go on a date
16.

· Get ears pierced
When they can take care of it by themselves. Oldest was 12, youngest was 10. And second piercings, well they're gonna have to wait until they're grown to do that. My oldest has allergy problems (can only wear gold posts), and I don't want to think what a cartilage piercing could do.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2005
Fri, 03-02-2007 - 4:50pm
Thanks to all
 
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Fri, 03-02-2007 - 5:50pm

· Go to the mall or movies without a parent

I have no problem with my son going to movies with friends. He started doing that around age 12. The mall has a rule that you must be 16 or accompanied by an adult so it's not even an issue.

· Attend a boy-girl party

Not even on our radar screen at this time so I have no clue when these things usually start up.

· Get a cell phone

Connor got his cell phone at 11. That was the age he started going places on his own... school, library,city swimming pool etc..

· Drive without a parent

Soon as he has his licience.

· Stay home alone

Depends. Daytime for an hour afterschool until mom gets home from work... About age 11. Nightime while you go to dinner (13), Overnight..16.

· Wear makeup or shave legs

Wearing makeup is not allowed in our home. I do not wear makeup, dh doesn't allow makeup, it's just not an option. Shaving... when the child needs to. Age will vary. Ds is 13 and needs to shave daily. I have friends with 15 year olds who are just getting a little peach fuzz. I know the question was posed for a girl, but I think the same rule applies. As soon as they really need to.

· Go on a date

A real date. 16

· Get ears pierced

Not an option in our home. Piercings of any kind are not allowed. I know I have a son, but I wouldn't allow a daughter to pierce her ears either. IMO it's a horrible practice. Girl or boy.

stacy

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2005
Fri, 03-02-2007 - 9:10pm
Thanks for all of the great responses!
 
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