When I was growing up, I had friends who had several men in the family- brothers, uncles, cousins, etc, who were all rather over protected. Now that I have daughters, I really wish we could have that for our kids, but sadly, my son is the only boy on either sides of the family. A total of 6 girls, and 1 boy for grandkids on both sides.

Not being a dad, I can't answer for men....

BUT...

I've got 4 beautiful daughters, the youngest having turned 13 two days ago. I'm also 5 ft. tall. The boyfriends have been very very afraid of me, and that's just the way I intend to keep it. I've said it before and I'll say it again... do NOT fuck with a short, middle aged gemini woman!

my dad used to show his gun collection to boyfriends. he never said a word but the action spoke for itself! lol reminds me of a quote from the movie Clueless... "I have a 45 and a shovel. I doubt anyone would miss you."

I have 3 daughters all married now to the ones I didnt scare. Living in the country has its advantages when dating starts just tell them we"re banding calfs sat. would you like to join them.

I'm gonna have to use these in about 12 years when my 9 year old daughteris old enough to date!

If you think you're going to be able to wait 12 years for your 9 year old, then she's going to teach you a few things. ;)

I fully expect my 8 year old will be asking to go out on dates when she's about 14. My plan so far, is that when she turns 14, she can go out in large groups to things like the movies. Boys and girls can bot be there, but it can't be just boys, and it can't be just her and one other.

When she gets her full, unrestricted liscence at about 17, she can go on boy/girl dates, IF she drives. I don't trust guys to bring her home when she's supposed to, so if I tell her she has to drive, then any lateness is all on her shoulders. She'll have a full tank of gas, and I'll check the milage. ;)

If she's late once, then she won't go out with anyone for 2 weeks. If she's late twice, she won't be going out with anyone for a month, and if she's late a 3rd time, she has no car, and no dating privlages.

Ok, it's a bit harsh, but I'll still be a young mom. I remember VIVIDLY what happens on dates, and how it feels to go out, and think you can do things and get away with them.

I also have cousins, sisters, and neices who are going/will be going through all this. My husbands cousin just turned 17, and we have gotten stories out of her. She sneaks out all the time, has been busted with drugs, smokes, drinks, etc. And she's actually quite a good kid. She graduated in December, a year and a half early. She holds two part time jobs for her own spending money. She bought her car, and pays the insurance on it.

Moral of that story? No matter how 'good' a kid is, it doesn't mean they will always do the right thing, or that they even understand that what they are doing is wrong.

So, my kids will definatly be grilled regularly. Not because I don't trust them, but because I don't trust society, or the feelings that happen when you try something new.

My wife tells me the same thing

Gilly i like the way you think!!! We did the same things.... and the kids thought we were sooo cruel and mean. Then we got a real nice letter from daughter as she left for college.

Oh and I really did show off my gun collection.... it's a very SUTTLE message!! hehe

My daughter will be a nun. Either that or I'm gonna be on drugs. I'm convinced it's the only way to survive the teenage years.

My father passed away when I was quite little so I had no such experiences as everyone has described but found the rules quite amusing. :) Mind, my mother was quite overprotective...that and my grandparents. I still remember the first time I had brought my beloved to their place for the first time, one of the first thoughts that came out of her (grandmother) mouth was "(his name)...isn't that the name of a gangster?" . I almost killed myself laughing right there.

Gilly, I'm thinking along the same lines in regards to rules/privalages. We don't have any children so that is far off for now. :)