What age would you let your daughter? it for a survey?

[Laurenâ„¢]

Facebook account - The official age limit is 13, so I'm sticking with that. I am going to want access to her page, though.

Cell phones - My daughter got hers for the beginning of 6th grade (which is age 11) because she walks around town a lot, and also she was willing to pay for a quarter of the bills.

Makeup and Jewelry - She's been allowed to wear jewelry basically as long as it was safe. I got her ears pierced when she was 6 years old, and she's been wearing relatively small earrings ever since. As for makeup, she's allowed to wear lip gloss and clear mascara now. I'm thinking she can start wearing some light makeup (like real mascara) when she turns 12 or 13, I'm just going to see how I feel about it then.

Boyfriends - I think that (bring on the thumbs-down) that "boyfriends" are acceptable at most ages, because they show a child that they are lovable by more than just their parents. My daughter has had these boyfriends before: in kindergarten, she played on the swing set with him; in third grade, they sat next to each other at lunch; and now in sixth, it's almost the same thing. They talk at school and social outings, they're basically friends. She just knows that she is capable of being loved. Honestly, the closest they've come to a date, is dancing together at the chaperoned school dance. I think a real "dating" relationship should come at about 15 or 16.

Shopping by themselves - I stay within the mall, but out of sight. That way, if she calls me, I can be there ASAP. I think she can stay alone with her friends around age 13. If we lived in a less safe area, that answer would probably be higher.

Have their own computers - The family one is perfectly fine, so when she saved up enough money for her own.

No bedtime - Her father (and my husband) is a pediatrician and knows all about the importance of sleep. He thinks that even if she stays up too late on the weekends, her mindset will adjust to get used to that, and it would mess up her system. So it's not my rule. but when she goes to college. But she doesn't have a set bedtime every night, it depends, but my husband is very passionate about sleep and its health benefits. It's usually around 10 on school nights and 12 on weekends.

Pick out her own clothes - I, as a mom, am a shopaholic. So I have been taking her out shopping to pick out her own clothes since she was a small child. But I also sometimes pick up things for her that I know she will like, and I will continue to do so. But if I deem something she buys inappropriate, it goes back on the shelf right away.

Phew! That took a long time! I hope it helped.