I'm not a teen but I have children who are 12 and 13. They haven't gone out on any  prototypical dates yet but have gone out on some "group" dates. Before they go out on any real dates -- hopefully not in the immediate future -- their friends will get to meet mom and dad.

I have a 13 year old girl. She is actually one of the last girls in her group to start dating. I guess my wife and I are'nt your typical parents when it comes to this subject. We don't brush it under the rug, or play ostrich. We also don't encourage her behavior. We try to allow her to let things go as they may, yet keep her head on her shoulders and keep an open dialog with us. Sometimes my wife and I wished our parents would have done this. We need to walk that fine line; don't be friends with our children, but don't be an over-protective parent. Guide as well as parent. Does any of that make sense?
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