A mother has sparked a debate online after sharing a video of her having a “date night” with her 12-year-old son to teach him how to treat women with respect. In an Instagram post, Melissa Ann Marie, a 31-year-old mother, explained that she takes her son on monthly “dates” to instill values of respect towards women. Their date included dinner, a movie, and dessert, as captured in the video captioned, “GRWM [Get ready with me] for a date with my boy.”
Melissa elaborated on the concept of the mother-son date, stating, “Basically you give them an allowance ($50) and they take you out on a date. The idea is you are prepping them for how to take a girl out on a date in the future so they aren’t completely lost when the time comes. So you help them along the way with how to plan and execute a date and you teach them basic etiquette and manners.”
The video received mixed responses from viewers, with some praising Melissa for spending intentional time with her son and teaching him valuable lessons. Others found the idea of a mother-son date “weird” and questioned the use of the term “date” in this context. Melissa addressed the criticism in an interview, emphasizing that she is focused on raising her son to be a respectful gentleman and equipping him with important social skills.
She shared that her motivation to start these practice dates stemmed from her son’s experiences with dating at school, wanting to guide him on how to navigate relationships at a young age. Melissa highlighted the importance of teaching boys to respect and treat women well, especially in today’s society. As a single mother, she feels a responsibility to instill these values in her son and help him become the best version of himself.
Melissa and her son have engaged in five practice dates so far, focusing on etiquette and thoughtful gestures. She believes that parents should actively participate in shaping their children’s social development alongside academic and extracurricular activities. Despite the varying opinions on her approach, Melissa remains committed to nurturing her son’s understanding of respect and kindness towards others, particularly women.
The mother-son practice dates have sparked conversations about parenting practices and the importance of instilling values of respect and empathy from a young age. Melissa’s unconventional method may not resonate with everyone, but it highlights the diverse approaches parents take in preparing their children for adulthood and relationships.