Dear Children: Don't Even Think About Dating Until I'm Dead

Haha, just kidding. But today my 10-year-old asked me "When would be an appropriate age to start having a boyfriend?" Really? You're 10!! Fortunately, my husband is away for his Navy Reserve duty this weekend, or he would be running out to Walmart to procure a shotgun from their hunting section. She claims that nobody has asked her to "go out" so I think she is just curious about my thoughts on the matter. I explained that there are different types of things that boyfriends and girlfriends can do together, and that these things may or may not be appropriate depending on the ages and maturity levels of the two people involved. I wrapped up my response by saying I didn't really have an answer without more information on the situation. "Mom, there is no situation, I was just asking," she replied. Good. Ask away, and I will answer. Excuse me while I go upstairs and pluck the 50 gray hairs I just grew.