I was walking by the Princesses’ rooms and heard, “He’s so hot!” Oh dear.

These are not my first teenage daughters to show interest in the opposite sex. have been through this three other times and have learned a few things along the way. This “hot” situation needed to be addressed and the law laid down.

Me, “Knock, knock.”

Princesses, “Come in.”

As stern as I could, I looked them in the eye until I saw the fear. I had their attention and spoke, “Boys are not hot until they have graduated from college.”

“What?”

“You cannot think boys are hot until they are out of school, and come to think of it, not until you are too.”

There was stunned silence and a very soft-spoken, “Dad?” I had made my point. Score one for the Daddy-man. Yeah.

Years ago, I formulated a set of rules for dating. Up until now, they have been verbal, but the time has come to write them down. It makes them solid, like stone. Here they are.

To all my daughters, natural, and those who are “adopted” by me by virtue of your being super cool, brilliant and my loving you. (That pretty much includes all of you): I have formulated rules for your dating experience. Please remember that I am a guy, and know what I am talking about when I say guys are to be avoided.

Rule One: See the above conversation.

Rule Two: You cannot talk to boys until you are 16-years-old, and then in only one-word sentences. At 17, you may use two words, and at 18, none.

Rule Three: You may be alone with a boy when you have achieved all the requirements outlined hereafter in Rule Four. Until then, you are to have at least one adult standing between you and any boy. One is the minimum. There is no maximum. The more adults present, the better.

Rule Four: You may date when you are finished with your first degree and are accepted into graduate school. Any boy you choose to date has to have graduated from college, (he’ll be hot then) provide to me, or your parents as substitutes, his financial statement showing a strong investment portfolio, and at least a six-figure income. You may date him once a month, but you can talk all you want.

Rule Five: You must be 28-years-old to be eligible for Rule Four freedoms.

Rule Six: You must date this chosen young man for 10 years, then you may marry at 38. Forty is better, but if you cannot wait, you may marry early if all the adults in your life meet the young man and agree to his worthiness. If any of us, including the checker at the grocery store do not approve, he's out, O-U-T. No arguments or you are grounded for life. I don’t care how hot he is.

Rule Seven: If you are ever in a situation where none of the above rules apply, call me. I will make one up.

Should you have any questions, don't ask them. The Ten Commandments are written in stone, so are these rules. Remember the fifth commandment; "Honor thy father and thy mother, and thy writing teacher … " Cool your jets boys; you are not hot…yet.

David Wilson Atwood is a local writer whose human interest columns offer a unique perspective. He may be contacted, and his other works viewed at www.starchasers.us, or david@starchasers.us.