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Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

6 year old has a boyfriend

37 replies

ThedaBara · 02/02/2022 22:03

My 6 year old DD has been telling me that one of the boys in her class is her boyfriend. I asked her what she meant and she said that they have decided to get married when they grow up. Ok, fair enough, very cute. It's been about 2 months. Today she told me that she had a secret and I wasn't to tell her teacher Hmm it turns out she kissed him on the cheek today because she loves him and couldn't help herself.
I think need to talk to her about her feelings and impulsiveness and looking after herself, but I have no idea where to start! Any advice appreciated

OP posts:
inmyslippers · 02/02/2022 22:04

That is just adorable. Have you picked out a hat yet?

SomeOwlsCoo · 02/02/2022 22:09

Cute. DS2 had a gf at the same sort of age. Then she "broke his heart" when she decided to "live her life without boys." He told her they could have chocolate cake at their wedding and she was his gf again Grin
I think it was about a year until they "broke up" for the final time.

CrinklyCraggy · 02/02/2022 22:11

I recently came across my 6yo BF on a local forum. Bastard claimed not even to recognise my name Grin

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mrsed1987 · 02/02/2022 22:12

I was married off at 5. I wouldn't worry about it, it's pretty normal

RedCandyApple · 02/02/2022 22:13

Going against the grain I really hate kids having “bf/gfs” seen so many posts on my Facebook about kids with their pretend bf/gf as young as 3/4 I’ve even heard of parents buying rings for the kids to “propose” so glad none of mine have ever had one!

Easterbunnyiswindowshopping · 02/02/2022 22:15

My ds 7 is a real gent. Last year he had a gf but his bff wanted her so he let him have her!!
Harmless ime op.

ThedaBara · 02/02/2022 22:21

Haha thank you all! I am probably taking it a bit TOO seriously. First thing DH said with a completely straight face was 'that boy is not good enough for her!' I don't think they're off to Gretna Green just yet.
(Don't personally love little kids having BFS and gfs at this age either, but out of my control now)

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ExtraPlinky · 02/02/2022 22:22

My daughter was married to Dora the Explorer at that age.

emsmar · 02/02/2022 22:24

I wanted to marry my mum at that age. I was really upset when she explained that wasn't really possible 😂

Aquamarine1029 · 02/02/2022 22:26

This is so adorable 🥰

mvmvmvmv · 02/02/2022 22:31

Aw it sounds harmless enough. I wouldn’t encourage it but at the same time I wouldn’t be worried or get involved. Seems harmless.

Ylvamoon · 02/02/2022 22:32

My DS had the same girlfriend age 4-5.5 years of age... after that they were more on/ off and finally finished around age 8!
I just thought it was sweet! The girls mum and I had quite a few laughs about all the drama of breaking up and getting back together again.

Just sit back and enjoy- as long as it is childs play its innocent.
I just don't like adults thinking adult thoughts and messing with the little kids heads

Tempusfudgeit · 02/02/2022 22:35

My 6yo bf proposed to me on the school playing field with a ring he'd made out of a daisy. I accepted. He's now happily married to a man Grin

ThedaBara · 02/02/2022 22:39

I do want to stop worrying, but should I just tell her that kissing is just for family? The last thing I want is for her to feel like she can't tell me this sort of thing though!

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blyn72 · 02/02/2022 22:40

I think it is sweet. I do fear it won't last though.

ldontWanna · 02/02/2022 22:43

It's all about how you tell her. If you tell her off or anything like that she might withdraw. But if you just casually mention that kissing is just for family(and repeat that when she kisses female friends too) or mention there's no kissing in school (if they have such a rule ) if should be fine.

If you're worried just keep an eye on it and listen without making too many judgements. Keep it easy and casual.

A lot of the time it's sweet and funny and innocent. Sometimes it isn't(it wasn't in my daughter's class) and it's important to keep the lines of communication open.

deeplyrooted · 02/02/2022 22:44

I think you’re overthinking it! It’s completely normal and they’ll be over it before they’re 8.

Being disapproving or getting weird about it is just as bad as encouraging it. Dc have been like this for generations.

Dancingsmile · 02/02/2022 22:44

Playing is a child's way to learn. Part of Playing is to learn how to br an adult. They do this by copying. Making pretend dinner , looking after a doll, pushing a car around it going under a bridge etc.
Pretending to be married or have a boyfriend is just acting out what they see. That's all.

Pembertonrd · 02/02/2022 22:46

I remember collecting tadpoles in a jar from my bf’s garden pond. We sat contentedly together stirring them round with a stick.
Happy days.

MrsLighthouse · 02/02/2022 23:05

In my kids school both mine had “married” by the time they were 7 . Ceremony was in the playground with someone as the vicar and bridesmaids etc ….my daughter told me Jack and Sophie had been on honeymoon and when l asked where to ? She said “the cinema”

onedayoranother · 02/02/2022 23:43

My son had a girlfriend at six (she was seven). They used to put notes to each other in their trays. Then one day she said to me that she really liked him but didn't love him and could I tell him? So I had to break the news. Omg he took it well on the surface but carried a torch for her for YEARS. A broken heart hurts no matter what age.

ThedaBara · 03/02/2022 00:32

@Dancingsmile that actually makes sense! Thank you

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TheresSomebodyAtTheDoorNeil · 03/02/2022 00:41

My friend ended up marrying her first husband.

They married for the first time when they were 6 (( I had the important role of flower girl with daisys nicked from the school garden))

They were always inseparable but I remember them going out properly at 12 or so and they've been together ever since. Ended up marrying this year aged 40 so obviously here to stay....... You never know you might end up needing that hat 😂😂😂

SaveWaterDrinkGin · 03/02/2022 02:23

I had the exact same conversation with my six year old this morning- that kissing is just for family. I also hate the whole boyfriend thing but am ignoring it, as others said it’s normal. There are two children in her class who reportedly do keep kissing though, so I told her that’s not a great idea and kissing isn’t something we do at school.

GeorgiaGirl52 · 03/02/2022 03:06

I had a boyfriend at six. He had more freckles than any boy in school and I thought I was very lucky. He gave me a plastic dinosaur ring from off the top of a birthday cupcake.
Then at age 7 we discovered cooties and had to break up.
Just tell your daughter about cooties and keep her safe.