6 Things Your Teenage Daughter Needs to Know before Going on Her First Date

Your daughter is your little princess. Somehow she managed to grab hold of your heart in a way no other girl on the planet ever will. While you know there will never be a man worthy of her, as she approaches the time when she’ll be going on her very first date, there are a few things you need to make sure she knows without question.

Self Defense – Make sure she has the basic education, knowledge, and tools necessary to defend herself if her date suddenly turns into octopus man or worse. According to The Center for Family Justice, 44 percent of sexual assault and rape victims are under the age of 18, and 93 percent of them know their attackers. Give her the tools she needs to defend herself before you let her go on that first date.

How to Change a Tire – You’d be surprised by how many boys today do not know this vital skill. Not only can this help her make curfew on time, but it can also prevent many of the "usual excuses" boys try to come up with.

No Means No – Even if she needs to add a little punctuation. Teach her that she can stop at any time and that he should comply. He may not be happy. But if she says no, then that’s when it should end. Encourage her, though, to not let things get too far in the first place.

How Her Date Should Treat Her – In a perfect world, he will treat her with the same care with which you will treat her. The best way to let her know how she should be treated is to set the example by the way you treat others. But it’s important to also talk to her and let her know why this treatment is so important.

How to Navigate by the Stars – This is another skill being lost on today’s generation. Most teens rely on their smartphones for everything these days – including navigation. Teaching her this skill means she can always find her way home.

That you will ALWAYS come get Her – No Matter What! – Of all the lessons you can teach your teenage daughter before she goes on her first date, this is the most important – and one you should reinforce daily. She needs to know that home is her safe harbor from the world and that you will always come for her and bring her back into your home.

The hope is that she’ll never need to know these lessons, but knowing that she does will give you peace of mind the next time Mr. Not Nearly Good Enough for My Little Princess shows up for a date.

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