Getting your parents to let you date means showing them that you’re mature enough for a relationship. You can do this by following their rules, staying true to your word, and helping out more around the house.
It also means making sure that dating won’t interfere with your schoolwork, sports or other activities.
1. Show them you’re mature
Parents who don’t want their children to date often believe they’ll be tempted to do things they shouldn’t. It’s important to show them that you have the maturity and discipline to resist temptation, which is something you can do in many ways. For example, be punctual and never go out past your curfew. This will give them confidence that you have the ability to respect their rules. You can also help out around the house more, such as doing chores or picking up your younger siblings from soccer practice.
When talking to your parents about dating, try to choose a time when they’re in a good mood and not angry. It’s also a good idea to avoid acting snide or sarcastic about their opposition to the idea, as it will only make them more entrenched in their position. If you’re not able to change their mind on the matter, they may have some other conditions or restrictions in place that you can live with. These are important to understand before moving forward, so you don’t get caught off guard later on.
2. Show them you’re responsible
Some parents are hesitant to let their children date because they feel that socializing is too distracting from schoolwork and other priorities. If this is a concern of yours, try to keep up with your studies and do the chores around the house so that your parents are confident you’re putting your best effort into all aspects of your life.
Be a good friend to your siblings, and make sure you’re not being a distraction in the family. You can also offer to tutor or help with homework for other kids in the family to show that you’re responsible and mature enough to date.
If your parents are apprehensive about letting you have dates, start by asking them if it’s okay to hang out with friends during the daytime and then work up to dating during the evenings. This will give your parents time to get used to you spending time alone and will demonstrate that you can respect their rules without going against them. Ultimately, their restrictions are designed to protect you, so listen to them and respect their decisions.
3. Show them you’re not a burden
Some parents are reluctant to allow their children to date because they fear that they will become intimate too soon and lose focus on school, hobbies, or sports. If your parents have this concern, try to convince them that you are mature enough to be dating. This may mean that you have to compromise and only go out in group situations or accept a later curfew, but you should be willing to work with their rules.
In addition to following the rules, try to take on extra chores around the house or help out with things they need done. This will show them that you’re not just looking for attention or to burden them. It will also make them more receptive to your request to date.
If you start to feel like a burden, remember that they only have so much time and energy. They have their own lives to live and their own problems to deal with, so don’t add to theirs by hiding things from them or lying to them about who you spend your time with.
4. Show them you’re not a distraction
For many parents, dating is a big deal because they believe that their children may become intimate too early and lose focus on academics, sports or other important activities. If your parents fall into this category, it is critical that you prove to them that you will not let your relationship detract from anything in your life.
One way to do this is by letting them see you together with friends on group dates. This will help them feel more comfortable because they’ll know that you’re hanging out with people that they also trust and like. You can also try introducing them to your date’s family at a public event, such as a music concert, play or amusement park.
It’s best not to hide things from your parents, as this could cause tension and even lead to a bad break up down the line. Instead, be honest and tell them about the person that you’re dating and why it’s a good fit for you. This will build their trust in you and may make them more receptive to the idea of you dating in the future.
5. Show them you’re ready to date
Even if your parents don’t agree with you and are against dating, you have to respect their decision. This means not hiding anything from them and always telling the truth. This will show them that you can trust and keep things in the open with them.
It also means that you need to make sure the person you introduce to your parents is worth it. If you think they might embarrass you or if you don’t think they will respect your parents then this could be a sign that they aren’t good for you.
Some parents may be willing to compromise a bit if they see that you’re serious about dating and will respect their rules. If this is the case, then try to come up with ways that they can let you date in small ways like going out during the day or having your dates bring over their parents to meet them. This will help them feel more comfortable with letting you date and they will see that you’re mature enough to manage the relationship without making bad choices.
