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Is my teen dating or are they friends?

By Denise Witmer, About.com

The Question from PINKHULAGIRL:

"My 16 year old daughter became friends with a guy that goes to her school, last year. I wasn't to concerned, until now. She has become increasingly close to him. They are "best friends" or so she says. She talks about him all of the time now. I hadn't met him until a few weeks ago, when I had to start giving him a ride home from school. He is very handsome. My daughter and him sit really close in the backseat, and when ever I pull up to the school, they are always sitting close to eachother. I've even see her grab his butt, and him grab her butt, before. Their relationship seems too close to me, and I'm worried that they may possibly be going out behind my back. Should I cut the relation ship off, or should I let it go, and hope she tells me what's really going on?"

Denise's thoughts:

The change might be because the right person, as far as she is concerned, is now paying attention... which is a good feeling. I would invite him over and make friends, that way when they do start openly dating, you can be more comfortable discussing the rules with both of them.

From Our Community:

'Hi, Pinkhulagirl, Welcome! Re your darling daughter: If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, chances are it's a duck! This forum is the best place in the world to discuss your concerns. Have you forbidden your daughter to date? Why not invite the young man to your house and get to know him a little better? BTW have you had the talk about sexual responsibility with your daughter?' - YOYOMA4

'Your daughter is going out with this boy, or they have totally big crush on one another. Don't try to stop this it might blow up in your face. Just go up to her ask her very nicely what is going on between them. She is growing up and her hormones are usually out of control. She will most likely get angry if you try to break them apart.Well, thank God she talks about him and you see them together. Some kids hide from their boyfriends from their parents. ' - SHAN21

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Denise Witmer
Guide since 1997

Denise Witmer
Parenting Teens Guide

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