(Teenage) Love in the Time of Corona

[EdinaMonsoon]

AIBU to think that teens starting a relationship in the middle of this pandemic is not okay due to social distancing and transmission of the virus? Really interested to hear how other parents feel about it because I am struggling with knowing how to go forward with this dilemma.

Ordinarily, I would be very happy for DS16 to be in a relationship but given the risk of transmission of C-19 I just don't feel it's responsible. We have discussed it and I feel awful for having any doubts. It would be his first proper relationship and that's making me feel worse ie that I'm standing in the way of this rite of passage. He understands my concerns but still thinks IABU so we're at a bit of a stale mate. Of course, I fully appreciate that regardless of what I say, if he wants it to happen then it will (from experience of older son & remembering my own teenage years!). We are in a Tier 1 area if that's of any relevance.

FFS, he's 16, let him see his girlfriend!

DS 17 and his girlfriend have been together for a year and have decided to obey the rules

It's a rule not to kiss your partner and hold hands with them now?? Ugh what a soulless society we've become.

Let them enjoy their romance, I can't imagine many people on here would be putting off first kisses at 16, virus or no virus.

Beside now he's got a gf, no doubt they'll form a bubble of two for a few months and he'll probably safer than our with his mates all the time 🙂

Is it fair to expect young people to put their lives on hold for 1 year plus? This isn't going away anytime soon! My dd didn't see her bf for 5 weeks in March/April, it's totally unfair to expect them to stay apart all winter though. My other dd is not dating currently and she's totally stressed by covid etc but I wouldn't criticise her to do so

@HostessTrolley

My dd was and her bf are still seeing each other most weekends to be honest, sometimes during the week. I don't blame them, they have been together 2 years and are only in different cities because she got much better grades and we encouraged her not to go to the lower ranked university otherwise they would be living together.

@TheLastStarfighter

I’m normally very much a rule follower, but I wouldn’t stand in their way. This is time they won’t get back. If it was a different girl every week, that would be different, but his first proper girlfriend ...I don’t think you should intervene.

Agree

'It's so unfair'. 'You don't understand'.

If they are effectively a 'support bubble', in that he is not going to anyone else's house, the pub, places with lots of people other than school, then yes.

Of course if we had a 'world beating' test and trace system, then both your DS and his girlfriend could have a test and your mind be 100% put at rest.