'My 16-year-old wants to share a bed with his girlfriend'

"I often leave them in the house for a few hours in the afternoon. I’m not sure what the difference is."

The birds and the bees chat is a rite of passage in parenthood. 

However, the chat is nothing compared to the reality of a lovestruck teenager.

A mother has questioned the boundaries surrounding her 16 year old son’s relationship with his girlfriend.  

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"I don't do spot checks"

“He’s been seeing her for about six months. They get on really well,” she explained. 

They spend a lot of time together at her house on the weekend, which often leads to sleepovers. 

“We agreed that she would sleep in the spare room, but obviously I don’t do spot checks at 3am,” she revealed.  

However, she’s not entirely confident that funny business isn’t taking place. 

She’s now taken to a parenting forum to seek advice on what age is appropriate to let them share a bed. 

“I don’t feel terribly puritanical about it. I had very strict parents. I was never allowed to share a bed but it didn’t stop much else from happening,” she shared.  

Image: iStock

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"Still too young"

She still isn’t quite sure of what rules she needs to set. 

“I feel responsible for her as much as my son but again, I often leave them in the house for a few hours in the afternoon. I’m not sure what the difference is,” she admitted. 

Commenters were torn. 

“They might be above the age of consent, but they’re still too young for such an intense relationship,” one parent said. 

“At minimum I would check with her parents,” another advised.  

A third couldn’t see the harm: “I’m assuming you have talked to your son about consent and protection, so why not?” 

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Raising Children Australia advises that the age of consent in most states and territories is 16. In South Australia and Tasmania it’s 17. 

They advise that teenagers have the “right to feel safe, comfortable and pleasured."

In order to engage in sexual activity they “need to start by getting consent" with full understanding of what that means. 

The mother explains that both the teenagers are very sensible and have emotional maturity. 

“My instinct is to continue to insist on the spare room, but unofficially accept that it’s a bit blurred,” she said. 

What do you think? Is 16 old enough to be sharing a bed with your boyfriend or girlfriend? Let us know in the comments! 

Originally published as 'My 16-year-old wants to share a bed with his girlfriend'