Heck no!! I wouldn't let my daughter go either! I taught long enough to know 14 year olds are still children, 18 year olds are young adults. You might trust your daughter, but do you trust the boy? As mothers/fathers it is our sometimes painful job of having to protect our children. They might hate us at times now, but when they are adults and have children of their own, they will get a clue.

There is nothing wrong in being protective, as long as your daughter is able to understand (I know she won’t) your side. I suggest use your maternal instinct on that one. If you think it is not appropriate, it is not. Good luck.

I wouldn't think my parents would let me go. Is she in high school yet?

It is not only normal but a sure sign of a good, loving parent making a decision to do what's right for their child.

Put it this way: If I was your 14 year old (I was that age only 8 years ago) daughter, I would probably not talk to you for 3 weeks and possibly sneak out and go anyway. But when I was 18 I looked at 14 year olds as babies, so now I do realize the age gap is huge! I think you will just have to settle with being the "baddy" for now, sooner or later she will understand!

She's 14...there's plenty of time for a prom, just not now.

my wife and I are 4 years apart... However, you have to wonder why an 18 year old is interested. This could be a case of a mature 14 year old (who acts 16) and an immature 18 year old (who acts 16) so maybe emotionally they are even? I would be leery though...

From a naive 14 year old (moi): It's probably just a popularity thing. Going to the prom with a guy who's 4 years older is a serious boost to social status. I would probably want to go for that reason, but I personally would be hesitant about the guy being 18. I wouldn't want to...do anything with him, other than actually going to the prom, dancing, having fun. Maybe give her a strict curfew, and make sure she doesn't leave the prom (i.e. no after parties, no motel rooms, etc...) But why is an 18 year old guy interested in a 14 year old girl? Sounds kinda suspicious..

Considering what we know can go on at Proms, why would you ever let her go, especially at such a young age. It's the job of parents to protect and teach their children, to safeguard them from dangers that you can see and they possiblu can't. Are you ready to face whatever consequences that happen if you choose wrong?

Do you know the guy who asked her? Do you trust your daughter? Those are 2 importanat questions.I was asked to go to prom by a senior (18) when I was a freshman (14, but turned 15 by prom). My parents had him over several times before prom, got to know him, and set ground rules with both of us. They never gave us a yes or no until they got to know him. In the end, I did get to go. However, my parents knew where we were and I did have a curfew. I knew better than to lie to my parents, and they had done a good job making sure I knew "bounderies". They let me go, but I was to be home by 12:00, and I was. I wasn't allowed to "date" until I was 15 and then it was double date, so this was my fist real date. I didn't want to mess it up by being late or doing something other than what we had told my parents we were going to do. It really all depends on the maturity of your daughter, how well you know this guy, and how well you trust your daughter and him. I don't know if I would let my own daughter go to tell you the truth b/c times have changed quite a bit, but then again I am not in the situation. I would suggest sitting down with both of them and talking to them. If he & she are both willing to abide by your rules without argument, then this may be a good chance for your daughter to prove herself to you and to show her that you are willing to put yourself in her shoes & see that this is an important event for her.

I just turned 19, and I can tell you this is NOT a good thing. Not only should she not go to the prom with him, it'd be wise to keep him away from her.

better to be safe than sorry :)

Is it his senior prom? I wonder how his classmates will react to his being there with someone so young... You are showing your protectiveness over her. While a 4 year difference is not that big a difference, it's a big difference at this age because boys who are 18 are a bit more experience in relationships (USUALLY- NOT A NORM THOUGH). A 14 year old girl may just be beginning to learn what it is to date and have a boyfriend. I think its normal to be reluctant to let her go with someone his age - you probably wouldn't be so hesitant to let her go with a 14,15 or 16 year old. But 17, 18 starts to ring bells in some parents head, since they remember what its like to be that age! There are times when you have to follow your gut instincts and times when you have to figure out if its truly instinct or emotion telling you what to do in a case. Think carefully about this and see which one it is. Then follow your brain, not your heart on this one.

Been there, done that... If you know the boy and trust him, then set strict curfew limits and allow them to go. I suspect by the way you asked the question, that you do not know him, so you are well within your responsibilities as a parent to say no. She'll only be pissed at you until she needs money, or a ride to the movies for her and her friends. She probably won't even thank you later, because she won't remember you that you said no, until she has a 14 year old child of her own. When my daughters wanted to go on a date, I would not allow them to go with anyone that I didn't meet. (I had a special walnut trick to show them before they went out with my daughers, and I usually didn't see to many of them twice). Especially if there is an age difference. 18 year old boys are interested in different things than 14 year old girls. So unless you know the boy personally, you stick to your guns - because you are a good parent. I've got your back.

i was asked to prom by a 18 year old and i am 15 nothing bad is going to happen if she goes. the teachers are always strict and if you try to nip this in the bud it vould back fire and she may become rebellious..get to know the kid before she goes if he turns out to be a bad kid do not let her go. if there is nothing wrong let her go. give her a curfew to be home by.=]

Do you let your daughter date at 14 years of age? Isn't that a bit young? I know things are changing, but still, I'm a little apprehensive about letting a 14 yr old go out on a date...let alone a Prom Date! I wouldn't have let my daughter date at that age.

Watch the movies ten things I hate about you. It should explain everything lol

Hey I answered back when you first asked this question...I was browsing through my old stuff and saw it...I was wondering, did you let her go?

the kid wants to have sex with her. guaranteed. normally im for letting kids make their own mistakes, but you made the right choice in this case.

My daughter is 14 and no way will she go out with an 18 year old . You are being protective, but isn't that your job?

Before you make your decision, why not meet this boy in person yourself. If you decide it will be OK then make sure you take them and collect them and set boundaries about what time their evening will end.

I personally think that 14 is to young to go on a date with an 18 year old. I have a 14 year old step daughter who test mine and her dad's patience everyday about dating, boy's and what she is old enough to do and not do. To me if you start letting them date at 14 you are just giving her to much room to make bad choices. I have two older daughters, one 22 and one 17 and both of them were not allowed to go on a date until they were 16. Yes some 14 year olds are very responsible and I am not saying your daughter is not but you do not know this boy. I would not feel comfortable putting my 14 year old in that situation with an older boy. He has had freedom for much longer than she has. Good luck with whatever decision you make! :)

You probably shouldnt let her go because think about what most overy HS kid does after prom... Drink and sex. At 14, she is just way to young to even be tempted to do these things.

I think 14 is a little young to be going out on a date with a guy driving his own car. If your a guy you will remember what was on your mind when you were 18. If you really think your daughter's ready for that let her go...

I'll give you my perspective. When I was a 14 year old girl, any of the 18 year old boys I knew only wanted one thing. We all know what that one thing is. Sure, there was one, once in a while that was just nerdy enough, and respectful enough to know that they weren't getting laid by this 14 year old kid, but most wanted to get away with anything they could. I would say, from my perspective, you're doing the right thing by not letting her go. Unless you've met this guy. He could be the nerdy, "not expecting to get laid for years to come" kind, but I highly doubt it. Good luck!

That should be a no brainer. maybe with a reliable chaparone otherwise no! by the way how old are you?

It might work out, but you would have to set rules. It depends on what you a comfortable with. If you don't already know the guy, you should defiently meet him first.

besides YOU getting to know him, you should also ask your daughter how well SHE knows him. If she just knows him in passing because he's a hot jock, then she might be unhealtily impressed by him and trouble may ensue. But if he's the leader of her bible study group ... catch me drift?

hi. i'm 14. and i'm dating this guy who is 17. this may not mean much to you coming from me, but not every single guy is out for sex. my parents had never known this guy before, but let him come over just once. that one time, he nd i ONLY played the piano. he taught me some stuff, and i watched in amazement as he plucked away the strings of his classical guitar. he is good for me. i know it. he keeps me out of trouble, my grades have been going up, and he has encouraged me with my music. but now, after reading some articles like these, my parents have completely banded me from seeing him outside of school, no exceptions, limited my texts with him, and hurt us both like crazy. now, he knows that a physical relationship is out of the question. but we are still bf and gf at school. he likes me for me. please try to keep an open mind with your daughter. i agree that you should watch them some at first, but... sometimes, keeping her on a tight leash could make things harder for you and your daughter. just... don't keep the reason for your decision away from her, that has been the hardest for me. i think you should let her go to prom. just make some rules. rules are ok. teenagers can understand that. but dont just say no. -vanessa

i'm a guy at 18, and i think that an 18 year old guy asking a 14 year old girl out is sort of weird. i think you should say no, personally. the thing that's usually on an 18 year old boy's mind is most likely not on your 14 year old daughter's. she may not be expecting to give up what he wants from her. then again, not every 18 year old guy is like that. in the end it's up to you.

i'm sorry, but i see a lot of answers saying "meet the guy" sometimes that won't help. i've laid on my share of bullshit in my life. i've told parents everything and anything they wanna hear. they would love me and ask me to stay for dinner, while i did unspeakable things with the daughter in her room just up the stairs without them even suspecting. so you could wind up meeting the guy, thinking he's innocent and perfect for your daughter, and be completely wrong. you just have to go with your gut instinct cause it is still up to you. and don't worry about your daughter being mad at you if you say no because a kid needs a parent not a friend.

thats a pretty far age...but what i would do is let her go but dont let her go anywhere else with the guy if you think something is going to happen or you just dont trust the guy...thats what i would do...give her a chance to go to the dance but thats it...and watch her when she's with him and only give her small privileges with him...like to go anywhere...and give a curfew or something...alot of teenagers think they can take advantage of the parents so just keep a watch on the guy also but i would at least let her go to the dance with him and probably nowhere else especially if she's only 14

Let ur daughter live her life and make her own mistakes

Dont let her go. she's 14 and he's 18...that is such a huge difference. most 14 year olds havent had sex and most 18 year olds have...thats what you have to look at it. he's probably tried smoking and i'm sure he drinks...do you think your daughter does??? Do you want her around that

Maybe they have already been seeing each other anyway, and you just didn't know about it? Maybe the only reason they are asking you this time is because she would need to stay out later than normal. A curfew probably doesn't even matter. They will have enough time between the time they leave and midnight to do whatever. From what I hear all the fun is after the prom anyway. When I was 14 I had been dating my 17 yr old boyfreind for a year. My mom knew him well , he was at our house all the time. His dad was a Pastor. When His prom time came around she still didn't let me go. :-/

When I was 18 and 19 I was engaged to a girl who was 14 and 15 and she was my senior prom date. For whatever it's worth.

Just make sure u trust the boy

because of the reputation prom has these days i would not let my daughter go

meet the boy before making any decisions.

If you care about your daughter at all, I do not suggest you letting her go. Not in this situation. That boy should prove to you that he will take care of your daughter if he really wants to go with her.