12 years old boy relationship- iabu?

[CdeS]

One of my ds has a new "girlfriend" from another school and wants to meet her for a "date". I have asked for the girl's parent telephone number before they go out (the plan is meeting at a park and then going to her house) and he seems to think that it is totally unreasonable. Am I being overprotective?

[gamerchick]

Well it depends, do you always insist on all his friends parents numbers before they hang out?

[Letmehaveausername]

At 12 I'd want to know where she lived, but I'd not think to ask for the telephone number. So yes, I'd say you were being unreasonable

[CdeS]

I normally know the kids (and parents) he hangs out with hence my thought of the number.

[gamerchick]

I think really because it's the start of that dodgy age that knowing where she lives is enough, it's not as if you'll be ringing her parents anyway is it? See it as the start of giving them more of their reins, hope the lessons they've been taught have stuck and show them they're trusted.

Romances are sweet at this age, I'm a little surprised he told you, you must have a good relationship.

[LemonBreeland]

I think at 12 you have to give them some freedom. My DS is the same age and has friends from villages 20 miles from ours. We live rurally so I don't know all of his friends parents. I did meet a friends parents when he went for a sleepover, but for a visit to a home during the day I wouldn't bother.

[VioletBam]

I think as hard as it is, YABU. You need to discuss relationships with him if you haven't already though.

[CdeS]

Ok, thank you all for the advice and I will sit on my anxiety ...

[baking4life]

I would certainly not let this happen without meeting the girl and speaking to the other parents. Children don't understand we do this for them we are not being mean.

[gamerchick]

Yep these are the parents who kids rebel and sneak about because they're kept in a stranglehold and not trusted. Nothing like not being sure of your parenting.