Dealing with Your Child’s First Crush (2024)

Dealing with Your Child’s First Crush (1)

First crushes may occur at any time, but generally start at around 10-13 years of age. They are an important step in developing normal and healthy romantic relationships, and provide opportunities to learn how to compromise and communicate. First crushes may involve friends or schoolmates, but sometimes involve other people like actors or singers. Children may be distracted during their first crush as they try to sort out their feelings, and parents can be an important source of support during this time.

This episode written by Dean Blumberg and Lena van der List.

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Photo from Parents Canada

Dealing with Your Child’s First Crush (2024)

FAQs

Dealing with Your Child’s First Crush? ›

First crushes may occur at any time, but generally start at around 10-13 years of age. They are an important step in developing normal and healthy romantic relationships, and provide opportunities to learn how to compromise and communicate.

What age is normal for first crush? ›

First crushes may occur at any time, but generally start at around 10-13 years of age. They are an important step in developing normal and healthy romantic relationships, and provide opportunities to learn how to compromise and communicate.

Do kids get crushes on their parents? ›

Things to keep in mind

It's normal for your child to feel a stronger attachment toward their opposite-sex parent between the ages of 3 and 6. Reassure your child by telling them that while a parent's love for their child is very strong, it's also very different from the love they have for their partner.

What is Stage 1 of having a crush? ›

The First Stage

Interest is the initial stage of having a crush. It starts with the locking of eyes and ends with butterflies in your stomach. You feel giddy as soon as you see them, and you are eager to know their name. If you already know their name, then it is all you can hear everywhere.

Should an 11 year old have a girlfriend? ›

Typically, it's best for children under 13 not to engage in romantic relationships as they are still developing emotionally and cognitively. Healthy friendships are encouraged for teenagers between 13 and 15, but romantic relationships could be too much for them to handle.

Should you tell parents about crush? ›

Be honest. Planning to lie to your parents about what your crush is like or how you interact with your crush will usually backfire. If your crush is a really great person and you're genuinely ready to date them, you won't have anything to hide, anyway!

Is it normal for 8 year old to have a crush? ›

The fact is that Cupid's arrow can aim low, striking kids as early as 7 or 8. And though it's easy to trivialize this experience, a child's emotions are just as real as the fervor we might experience when we're infatuated.

Do kids have crushes before puberty? ›

Many kids go through this in their teen years, but some children can feel romantic interest well before puberty. Learning how to be in a healthy one-on-one relationship is a normal part of learning how to be an adult.

What is depleted mother syndrome? ›

Mom burnout sometimes called depleted mother syndrome, is the feeling of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of fulfillment caused by intense child care demands. Burnout is the result of too much stress and a lack of resources for coping with it.

Can yelling at a child cause anxiety? ›

Yelling isn't even particularly effective at correcting your kids' negative or disruptive behavior, McCoy says. Instead, she notes, it triggers a stress response in their brain that leads to heightened anxiety — which can stand in the way of their ability to learn and develop, studies show.

What is the most difficult age for a boy? ›

Sorry, son! Referred to as the scary sevens and hateful eights, social and emotional development between the ages of 7-8 can leave even the most confident parent feeling like they're starting all over! A recent survey by OnePoll (sponsored by Mixbook) conducted a survey of 2,000 parents of school-age children.

What are signs of a disrespectful child? ›

A disrespectful child is a child who shows a lack of respect or consideration towards their parents, siblings, or other authority figures. This can include behaviors such as talking back, ignoring, or disregarding rules and boundaries, and using rude or inappropriate language.

What do 8 year olds struggle with? ›

Eight-year-olds can be stubborn, slamming doors and rolling their eyes, in their attempts to establish their independence and individuality. Acting like doing their chores is an act of torture is common, and straight-up ignoring their parents is an 8-year-old hallmark.

Is it normal for a 12 year old not to have a crush? ›

And, if you 12-year-old or 13-year-old has no interest in dating, don't worry. There is no rush when it comes to the dating world. Their lack of interest doesn't mean you shouldn't still have meaningful conversations about dating, though.

What is the right age to fall in love? ›

Consider their emotional maturity and sense of responsibility. For many kids, 16 seems to be an appropriate age, but it may be entirely suitable for a mature 15-year-old to go on a date, or to make your immature 16-year-old wait a year or two. You can also consider what other parents are doing.

At what age can a girl fall in love? ›

At what age do girls start liking boys? Girls may start showing interest in boys at various ages, typically during pre-adolescence or early adolescence (around 10-13 years old). Their interest in boys can evolve and change as they grow older and experience different stages of psychological development.

At what age do people fall in love? ›

And it turns out that for most people it happens when they're quite young, with 55 percent of people saying they first fell in love between the ages of 15 and 18! Twenty percent of us then fall in love between the ages of 19 and 21, so around the time you're at university or working your first real job.

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