My oldest Daughter Gaby is in the 6th Grade. She has been pretty good about a “no boyfriend” rule her Father has set.
She is a pretty girl and don’t get me wrong, I know she has had some crushes here and there. But, for the most part she has not had a boyfriend.
I know she is getting older and I have always told her Dad “If we try to force a “Not allowed” attitude, she will only do it behind out backs”. Dad, is a bit old school if you haven’t noticed. I get it, my Dad was the same way. He has every right to want to shelter and hide his daughters from growing up. We must face the truth though, IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! I know kids are growing up way too fast now a days, but what is the worst thing that can happen right now? She will hold a boys hand for the first time, maybe get her first kiss? We cannot prevent the inevitable. This boy that may or may not be her boyfriend has had a crush on her since 3rd grade. He has asked her 3 times a year to be his girlfriend and she has told me every time. I know he has even walked both my girls home safely when one them had a flat tire on her bike. I see her text messages from friends telling her a girl asked him out and he says “no” to every girl because he is waiting for Maggie (she goes by Maggie at school).
I hope we can have a discussion with her on what is appropriate and what is not. How to hold her own self worth to a high standard.
Her own high standard, not mine, not Dads and certainly not a friends view. If she does something and only does it because “all the kids” are doing it. Well then, she is a follower and not a leader. She has been pretty good at being her own leader. She will make mistakes, she has made mistakes and that’s what kids do. It is our duty to make to show what is right from wrong how to be strong independent people in a real world. There is more to being a parent but that’s just a taste. Would this open a door for her to want more or do more, is that not part of life anyways. As an adult I am still learning, hence today’s blog. I am here for my daughters and will always be here for them. I don’t think there is much I can do here besides the conversation. She is always busy anyhow, soccer and school activities she does not have much of a social life outside of school to give this boy any more attention than he needs….lol
***Update***
Gaby ended up coming to the conclusion that just because she was mature for this decision, apparently all the other kids were not. She didn't like how the other kids would try to force them into holding hands etc. She had a long discussion with "him" and let him know that maybe in the future they can try this out again, but right now everyone else is immature and making it difficult for them and trying to make them do and be what she doesn't want.
Can I say "proud momma"!! Yes, I can.