Harry Connick Jr. Plays Nice With Daughter's Boyfriend

Larry Busacca/WireImage

In his latest movie New In Town, Harry Connick Jr. portrays a dad grappling with the realities of a daughter who is new to the dating scene. It’s familiar territory for the 41-year-old singer and actor, whose eldest daughter Georgia Tatom, 12 ½, is involved in her first relationship. Fortunately, it appears as though she has excellent taste in boys! “I know he’s a good kid and I know that his family’s a good family, so that definitely helps,” Harry explains. “And he’s got manners. He’s very polite, very respectful.”

That’s why — unlike his character in the film – Harry says he’s never felt the need to flex his dad muscles in front of Georgia’s boyfriend! Says Harry,

“The last thing I want to do is embarrass my kid or embarrass the boy.”

In addition to Georgia, Harry and wife Jill Goodacre are parents to Sara Kate, 11 and Charlotte, 6 ½. New In Town is in theaters now.

Source: Associated Press

Comments

12 and a half with a boyfriend?? I would ask, “what is the world coming to”? but I’m afraid we aren’t coming to anything…WE HAVE ARRIVED! This doesn’t sound like “my daughter has a crush on a boy who she sees with a bunch of kids in a group…”. He sounds like a dad who has sanctioned his pre-teen to have a boyfriend! The post says his daughter has started her “first relationship”. Too much for me personally but I guess if it works for ya.

- Momoboys on February 2nd, 2009

Dating at 12 1/2…wow times have changed! I think I was still playing with Barbies at that age…

- Sarah on February 2nd, 2009

I’ll third that! A boyfriend at 12.5? That is just wrong! My kids aren’t allowed to date until they are 16. I’ll guess they’ll be the outcasts. Oh well, I don’t parent to be popular.

- Shawna on February 2nd, 2009

I imagine at that age its along the lines of “want to be boyfriend and girlfriend?” “OK!” Then hanging out at each others houses along with other friends. I doubt its anything like a ‘relationship’.

- meghan on February 2nd, 2009

12 and a half is a little young to me too… now 14 ish/freashmen in high school I would allow… 12 just seems really young for a “relationship”…thats like 7th or 8th grade…

- krewcat on February 2nd, 2009

I don’t think it’s that strange. I had my first “boyfriend” around that age, and my first kiss at 13, and this was in the 90s. Our dates consisted of hanging out in a mixed group of friends who we went to the movies and the mall with. Pretty normal behavior if you ask me….. I think it’s great that she’s so open with her parents about it and they’re accepting also. Many teens will try to hide this information and that pattern continues throughout adolescense. I think it speaks highly of Harry and Jill’s parenting that they have such a good relationship with their oldest.

- Brandi on February 2nd, 2009

I think he says “boyfriend” beause that’s how she sees it. They probably hang out at each other’s houses, maybe go out for an ice cream or something… that’s what having a boyfriend means at 12, there’s nothing wrong in it. It’s just that the two kids probably take it very seriously and would be upset if their parents said “he’s not really your boyfriend cause you’re 12.”
I think it’s cute =)

- Alice on February 2nd, 2009

I love this man, I remember seeing him on a chat show in the UK and he was so funny! Although he kinda frightens me after seeing Copycat! Boyfriend before teenage years? Yeah, that kinda freaks me out as well, but it’s probably just being able to say he’s her boyfriend rather than actually doing anything you usually would in a relationship. The Connick children have lovely names.

- Alex on February 2nd, 2009

ya just did lol.

- ang on February 2nd, 2009

I agree with Alice. I remember when I was 11, everyone in my class had “boyfriends” and “girlfriends.” All that ever meant was writing notes to each other during school and hanging out together afterwards, usually with a group of people. There wasn’t anything sexual or adult about it. LOL, I think the biggest “date” I had was meeting my “boyfriend” and a few of his friends at the pool. Very scandalous.

- Duckie on February 2nd, 2009

In 1997 I was 12, almost 13 and in Grade 7, and I had a boyfriend. I have strict parents, but they had the sense to realize that if they forbid it, not only would it make me want to do it more, it would also alienate them from me, something that happens easily enough with teenagers as it is. They also realized that having a boyfriend at that age consisted of hanging out in groups of 5-10 same-aged friends (boys and girls), and doing things like going to the movies, watching movies at someones house, video games, board games, walks outside, the mall, etc etc. Its not like going out to a romantic dinner & taking them home alone afterwards.
In fact, as a teacher myself, I truly feel that this kind of socialization at that age is not only appropriate(when parents are home and “in-the-know”, but it’s also very beneficial to help young teens to prepare for later, more serious relationships. I had a few friends who were never allowed near boys until they were 16… know who they went for when they were allowed to date? The badasses! Also, 2 of my friends werent allowed to date until 16, and then it was like a free-for-all in terms of sex, inappropriate relationships, etc. Whereas, myself and 2 others, who WERE allowed to “have boyfriends” at 12,13 (junior high age where I live), we had steady, long-term relationships. Maybe a coincidence… or maybe we were just more prepared? Something to consider parents!

- Aurora on February 2nd, 2009

I don’t see anything weird with a middle-schooler dating. I was in middle school from 1999-2002 and it was pretty normal to have a boyfriend/girlfriend. Obviously, we didn’t go on solo dates or do many things alone. We went on a lot of group things – trips to the movies, the pools, each other’s houses, etc. Nothing crazy and they usually ended within weeks or months.

And I also had friends whose parents didn’t let their children date until they were 16 but sometimes parents aren’t always in the know. They always seemed to have boyfriends their parents didn’t know about!

I think Harry and Jill got it right. They seem to have a good, open communication with their daughter and their daughter’s boyfriend.

- Stephany on February 2nd, 2009

Sorry, as a parent Im not gonna let my daughters have a boyfriend “just in case” I wasn’t allowed to date at that age, and that will be how I rasie my daughters. I had respect for my parents because we were taught that. I won’t let mine do whatever so that I can be the cool parent. Oh and even more scandalous is that my first real boyfriend became my husband. 10 years and 4 kids later we still ahve a very strong marriage. I guess I didnt’ need to have many boyfriends or one at a younger age so that I was “prepared”.

- krewcat on February 2nd, 2009

I know quite a few 12 years old who have boyfriends and sex and abortions. It’s not the norm but it’s pretty expected that having a boyfriend means more than eating ice cream with friends. Maybe just oral sex, but it’s not as innocent as some posters make it sound. I know a couple of ten year old girls with boyfriends and one of them has sex. Her mom is ok with it and gives her birth control and they have a very open relationship. I do think those posters who think making your kid wait until sixteen will turn them into whores are silly. I know many girls who are sixteen and dating isn’t even on the radar cause they are busy with their own lives and don’t want to be glued to another person. How is that unhealthy compared to having sex at 14 with your parents’ permission?

Each parent has to make a decision regarding their kids. Some parents stick their heads in the sand. Some parents hand out condoms and take their girls to the abortion clinic. Most people are in the middle and make decisions based on their own life experiences. I wouldn’t allow my 12 or 14 date but Harry and Jill have made a responsible decision based off their view of the world and I’m not going to condemn or congratulate them for it. It’s their daughter and that lifestyle is probably very normal for where they live.

- PickASmile on February 2nd, 2009

Right there with ya, krewcat.

- martita on February 2nd, 2009

I had a boyfriend when I was in the 7th grade, I was12, he was 14 and we held hands and kissed at the most. My parents had no idea, they were very strict and since I had to come home straight after school, he was only my boyfriend for 2 weeks while I was in school. Granted I don’t want my child dating but they seem to know what is going on in their child’s life so that’s good, no sneaking around which is worse. And by the way, I didn’t lose my virginity until I was 25. I wanted to kiss boys I didn’t want to have sex with them! My older sister had her first boyfriend at 16 and lost her virginity then. So every kid is different.

- Jesse M on February 2nd, 2009

oh give me a break! when i was in junior high, back in the late 1980s to 1990, lots of girls had “boyfriends.” it was very innocent and very common. i went to a small, private school and maybe there was kissing, but that was it. i never had one until high school, but come on people. i agree that nothing should be serious, preferably until college, but it’s innocent puppy love. i can’t believe everyone’s panties are in a wad over this.

- marla on February 2nd, 2009

i dont think it us that young to have a boyfriend. many people start having boyfriends at 12 years of age and usually hide it from their parents. i didn’t at that age, but I know some of my frinds who did.

- Vanessa on February 2nd, 2009

12 and a half is 7t or 8th grade. I knew many people with boyfriends at that age. Usually, it just meant walking to the metro together or holding hands or talking on the phone. The thing that surprises me is that she actually told her parents. I never knew anyone who did!

- melania on February 2nd, 2009

He is such a great dad, very rational, I wish mine was!

I don’t think they are really ‘dating’. I had a ‘boyfriend’ when I was 9 and the only thing we ever did that my parents didn’t like was jump of the roof of a porch(that’s a long story and we were playing on a trampoline, we all let unscathed.). At that age your so nervous with your ‘boyfriend’ that you blush when he looks at you.

I think its a great that Harry is letting his daughter ‘date’ now, and be a part of it all. Its better that they accept it and not forbid it, that’s what I think at least. I know my mom has been very patient with me and has always asked certain things, home by 12, no being in my room alone, call if plans change, have my homework done. Those restrictions have kept me from wanting to go out partying all night because she letting me leave the house, alone, with a boy, with only a few rules. That’s just my opinion.

- Cassandra on February 2nd, 2009

I had a boyfriend in the 6th grade at age 12. Like many people on the board already said, it mostly involved holding hands, passing notes, and sometimes kissing. And for the most part our “dates” were always a group date with many other kids. I don’t see anything wrong with that.

- Caroline on February 2nd, 2009

I’m very confused. Somehow “allowing” a twelve year old to have a boyfriend is somehow condoning sex, abortion and permissive parenting? I think this is most likely a case of a girl telling her dad that so-and-so is her boyfriend, and the dad repeating a word/phrae that many people associate only in an adult context. I was twelve in 1983 and my middle school year book is full of “boyfriend/girlfriend” references.

Totally as an anecdotal note, every single friend I had growing up who didn’t get to hang out with a boy (under supervision or in a co-ed group setting) until 16 or over had the most rebellious streak, usually without their parent’s knowing it. Recently I was at a neighborhood reunion and a certain mom was going on and on about how her daughter was brought up “the right way” and I had to bite my tongue several times from informing her about all the things her angel did behind her back. No make-up rule? She put it on at school. No boyfriend rule? She made out with him during half-time. No swearing? Mouth of a sailor. I could go on!

I think most of us do our level best, and to be hammered for allowing your son or daughter to having a “love” is just silly. We should all be more worried about the things we DON’T know about with our kids, not the things we do.

- Lauren on February 2nd, 2009

I really think that what it comes down to is what we did at 12 (which for me was 1987) and what 12 year olds do now is completly different. I remember that frank and angie were “boyfriend/girlfriend” because angie had bigger boobs than all the rest of us. But they weren’t sleeping together and having oral sex int he bathrooms of school!

Nowadays kids are having oral sex as early as 10! I have friend who brags about the sexual conquests of his 14 year old son!! Times are different.

- krewcat on February 2nd, 2009

Newsflash! Young people have always been doing adult things!

I did a college thesis on pre-marital pregnancy rates in the northern and southern British colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries. Over fifty percent of women (mostly teens at the time) gave birth to children who, at the time of conception, were
“illegitimate”. Marriage and birth records show a remarkably short amount of time between the marriage and the birth! Sounds like alot of promiscuity going on!

The fact that we confide in what our kids are doing with one another tends to make it seem like the world is different now. Not so much. There has always been homosexuality, promiscuity (not relating the two at all!), etc. that we never openly discussed before. Nobody in the ’50s said, yeah, I have a gay son! Or, my daughter is 16 and pregnant! The world isn’t so different than its always been. It reminds me of the phenomenon of “shark attacks on the rise!” or “kidnapping rampant!”. No. It’s just that there’s a 24-hour cable news cycle to fill, so events that have been happening for centuries seem to be spiking. It’s not true, and statistics prove it.

- Lauren on February 2nd, 2009

Yeah, I think there’s nothing wrong with having a boyfriend or girlfriend in middle school. Most of the time, it’s pretty minor stuff going on. And tons of people had boyfriends and girlfriends at that age without their parents knowing because they weren’t allowed. I did, and I was a well behaved kid.

The thing I noticed is that their daughter obviously communicates with her parents without fear that they’ll just tell her having a boyfriend isn’t allowed. The fact that the parents know she has a boyfriend is a much better scenario than sneaking around.

I think it sounds great.

- Kerri on February 2nd, 2009

Yeah, I had a ‘boyfriend’ in middle school. We talked on the phone, held hands, and went to the movies with our friends. No big deal at all. And I lost my virginity in college. On the other hand, my friends who were basically shunned from being around boys until they were 15/16, were quick to sleep with their first boyfriends b/c they were taught that was “all boys wanted.”

Anyway, I remember reading an article with Jennifer Connelly talking about her son and his ‘girlfriend’ making dinner together. But I don’t remember reading people being outraged about it.

- dee on February 2nd, 2009

“It’s not the norm but it’s pretty expected that having a boyfriend means more than eating ice cream with friends.”

No, when you’re 12 it definitely doesn’t. Of course there are teen pregnancies and kids who have sex but seriously? These are exceptions. and if there’s a dialogue between parents and kid like there obviously is in this case, that kind of things should not happen.

- Alice on February 2nd, 2009

No matter what age a child is We must teach children healthy relationships. Respect one another and themselves. I have a 16 year old daughter. My husband is very protective sometimes over. I tell him all the time we must compromise. I don’t think we can actually trust our children, but we can encourage them to do the right thing. Trust is something that we believe is earned. Not just a given! At least in our house. My fears raising a daughter is not so much premarital sex, (dont get me wrong, I truely hope she wont) Its the drinking, the drugs and having her drive with someone who is under the influence. We can teach children to use condoms, birthcontrol, abortion, adoption. But drugs and alcholol can be for some a life long battle, an accident that could kill an innocent family. To me is far worse.
So having a “boyfriend” at 12 sounds ok. Keep the door of communication open. If you are not comfortable make sure they have another adult to speak to about “stuff”. (NOT another teen) He seems very open, I wonder how is daughter feels about him speaking of this though?

- Mary on February 2nd, 2009

12 didn’t seem ‘too young’ for a boyfriend (and I use this term very loosely with kids this age!)until my daughter turned 12!!! I believe that dating is done in stages…dating means something different to a 12 yr old than it does to a 16 yr old. It is healthy to date in stages, as opposed to starting at an older age where more is ‘expected’ from each other.

- brooklyn on February 2nd, 2009

12 really isn’t as young as it may seem. Now that I’m in my 20′s, 12 sounds so young and I am quick to think all 12 year olds are little innocent children, but then I sit and think and remember all the stuff that was going on when I was 12 and realize I am wrong! I tried drugs for the first time when I was 12, and I knew exactly what I was getting myself in to. I had friends who were having sex at that age.

If you really think about it, 12 isn’t that young. Women used to get married and have children at 12. Now i’m not saying that’s normal, but I’m just trying to get people to realize that 12 year olds aren’t innocent, impressionable children with little minds that are easy to corrupt.

I was having sex at 15, and my parents were OK with it, and I turned out just fine.

We shouldn’t underestimate children.

- Maria on February 3rd, 2009

Wow, 12 ½, is way too young to be “involved in her first relationship.” That’s when puberty starts, sexual urges, groping, kissing, petting, mutual masturbation, and eventually sexual intercourse.

Harry’s playing with fire if he’s letting his child (yes, she’s still a child) start a relationship with a guy who most likely has already experienced sexual urges if he is the same age as Georgia.

Yeah, I take pretty hard line regarding this because of my job in the medical field and thanks to the horror stories my friends tell me, including one being called to the middle school (grades 6 to 9) last week because her 12 year old son was being given “favours” by a 12-year old girl who wanted to thank him for helping her with some homework. I won’t go into detail about what those favours were, but needless to say my friend was shell-shocked and they’re talking to a child therapist to figure out how to handle this because she said, “but he’s only 12, she’s only 12, they shouldn’t know about or be doing these things!”

It is scary, really scary being a 12 year old these days and I hope Harry knows what he is doing and that he has very frank and open communication with all his daughters.

- DLR in Canada on February 3rd, 2009

Oh come on.

I wasn’t allowed to date/have a boyfriend at that age but lots of friends did, and it’s usually extremely innocent at that age. A lot of times in the schoolyard at lunch a boy would say, “will you be my girlfriend?” and that’s how it happens. There technically isn’t much of “going on dates”. There may be mixed-gender outings with friends, the parents aren’t allowing the kids to go up to their bedrooms alone, there are curfews… I imagine it’s much the same for Harry’s daughter.

I very clearly remember a conversation with girlfriends at 15, and the farthest these relationships had gone at that point was perhaps a french kiss and hand over (not under) the shirt.

Seriously, get a grip. If children at 12 are having sex, it’s likely that their parents are not giving them boundaries and not talking to them openly about these things. I’m sure Harry is a responsible parent. He may be allowing her to have a boyfriend, but that doesn’t mean he & his wife haven’t set limits to discourage sexual activity.

- L on February 3rd, 2009

Lauren I disagree. The world is VERY different. There are more very young kids having sex, kidnappings..etc now than 100 years ago. Statistics are bunk & from a very small sample size.

I wouldn’t let my kid date or be in a relationship at 12. Hang around boys in a group, fine. But speaking from how I was raised, you do need to be very open & honest about sex with you kids. Don’t be embarrassed or afraid to talk to them about it. My grandparents never talked to my mom about it, so she was VERY uncomfortable discussing sex with me & my sister. That led us to be overly curious, make bad choices & seek out our friends who for the most part had no idea what they were talking about. My mom NEVER answered one question I asked her about sex. I had to learn about it at school & reading library books.

So answer your kid’s questions no ,matter how awkward it makes you feel.

- Q on February 4th, 2009