<p>My D was “asked out” by a boy at age 11. When DH and I heard about it we were going to tell her no way, but we decided to choose our battles. We cannot control what she says or thinks, but we could control where she went and with whom. If she wanted to say she had a bf, there was really nothing we could do about it. So we just reminded her that she was not allowed to go on a date until high school. We figured it would die out in a couple weeks anyway.</p>
<p>Well, it didn’t die out. They never talked in school, but they did IM. And they ended up staying together for 3 years! All the way thru middle school. Eventually of course they did start talking in school, and sat together at lunch. By 8th grade, we and the boys parents had started allowing them to go to each other’s houses to watch sports events, videos, etc. I must say, having a steady bf all throughout middle school made those years much easier for D. All her friends were boy-CRAZY, and she was sort of able to float above it. At one point she said to me, “Mom why are they all so upset if they don’t have a bf? I mean, who cares?” I said, “Easy for you to say! You HAVE one!”</p>
<p>When they eventually did break up, just before high school, all D would tell me was, “It was time.”</p>
<p>I think they were in 7th grade when they started exchanging Xmas, birthday and Valentines day gifts. </p>
<p>Anyway, Historymom, if the gf is “smart, fun, active, non-prissy” I wouldn’t worry about it. Just be sure they’re well-chaperoned at all times. Your son may end up with her for a while, or it could end tomorrow. He may have several gf’s over the next couple of years, or he could decide girls aren’t worth it for now, and start ignoring them. But he sounds like a good kid. </p>
<p>We made it a point to get to know the bf’s parents when D’s first relationship didn’t end in a few weeks, just to make sure they were on the same page as us as far as what was and was NOT appropriate for 6th graders.</p>