Young girls always think they know best, don't they? No matter what you tell them, they're usually going to do things their way - and in turn, learn the hard way.

And while I think a 13-year-old is capable of being in an innocent relationship, (that let’s face it, will last a couple of weeks) it is never a good idea for one to be dating an 18-year-old.  If your daughter were dating another boy her own age, I would tell you not to be too concerned.  For the most part “relationships” at that age are harmless.  Most of the time kids just act like best friends and watch movies and hit the mall together.  You just need to keep close tabs on them and communicate with your daughter frequently about what they do.  Unfortunately, this isn’t the case at hand.  We’re all aware of the vast difference between a 13-year-old’s idea of a relationship versus an 18-year-old’s.  It’s just nowhere in the same ballpark.

The truth is, if you forbid her to see her boyfriend, she'll just find ways to hide it from you. Sneaking around isn't hard for a kid and telling your daughter not to see someone will only push her closer to him.  You may as well knock some sense into her in other ways. I think your best bet is to give her the facts about life and growing up too quickly.  Have you spoken to her about sex?  She needs to know about this stuff ASAP if she's going to be involved with an older boy.  Parents think that giving kids information is dangerous, but what’s dangerous is kids having sex without full knowledge of the consequences.  And let's face it; this relationship speaks volumes about the boy.  Your daughter, on the other hand, is no different from most girls who tend to admire the older man.  Let her know that a relationship with someone older can only lead to things she’s definitely not ready for. Young girls are impressionable enough that they will follow the boys’ lead, so equip her with the power of knowledge.

And if that doesn’t work, take away her cell phone, allowance (if she gets it) etc.  This could drive a bit of a wedge between you two for a bit but you also have to let her know that in your family she doesn’t call the shots.  So, if she’s going to continue on with this boy,  (remember, you can’t force her to not see him – that never works) then there are other ramifications.  I usually like to practice fair parenting, where the child has a voice.  But having your daughter get mixed up with an older boy could lead her to promiscuous activity and drug and alcohol use.  None of that is acceptable, especially for a child.  You might also want to reach out to the boy’s mother.  Does she know her son is seeing a 14-year-old?  I hardly think she would be OK with that as well.  Although I’d say that’s your last resort.

Also, don’t forget that kids change their minds about things quickly, and the same goes for their relationships.  She may soon realize that she isn’t ready to run with an 18-year-old on her own.  And cross your fingers that she instead finds a boring 13-year-old boy more interested in comic books appealing, because you’d probably have little to worry over there.