I'm going into 7th grade and have been dating my girlfriend for 8 months. I was wondering the best way to tell my parents that I am in a relationship.

You say, I have a girl friend is it OK?
Do her parents know she is dating and is dating at your age OK with your parents?

Dating in the 7th grade? For 8 months...

Do you have an idea what dating really is?

Where do you get the idea you should be messing around at your age yet? I actuaklly think it's a great idea to tell your parents. Just tell them, Mom, dad how would you like becoming grandpartents long before I finish Jr High school? Because I say thats more likely than not.

What does "dating" mean at your age? Yes, please tell your parents you like a certain girl. Do her parents know about and approve of you?

I won't be having sex with her. I'm not someone who dates girls just for their satisfaction

Homegirl I'm pretty sure my parents will be fine about me dating someone because they make jokes about me dating. I'm not sure about my girlfriends parents though I have yet to meet them. I usually just text my girlfriend hang out with her at school and we meet for a club twice a week.

Dating, in a adult sense, is going to dinner, a movie, even at high school level, it is dinner, going to each others home, going to a dance.

So perhaps dating is the wrong word, you have a girl, that you like, and she likes you. And you chat and hang out some together.

But you tell them, but by their terms, you are not dating, you merely like someone

Homegirl I'm pretty sure my parents will be fine about me dating someone because they make jokes about me dating. I'm not sure about my girlfriends parents though I have yet to meet them. I usually just text my girlfriend hang out with her at school and we meet for a club twice a week.

The entertainment media has glorified romantic relationships to the point that young people, who are not prepared for the emotions of such a relationship are trying to emulate the adult behaviors they see on TV, in movies, etc.

You are going into 7th grade, so that makes you about 11, right? Your parents may joke about it because they are nervous about it happening, but 11 is way too young. By your description of dating you are not really dating, you are playing at adult behaviors. The fact that you have been doing this for 8 months without telling your parents, shows that you are not able to handle this.

You need to sit down with your parents IMMEDIATELY and discuss the ground rules for you. If your parents approve of you dating, then you both go to her parents and get their permission. Until you have done this, you are betraying your parents by sneaking around behind their backs.

You are not dating, you like a girl text her and spend a bit of time with her at church meeting. Why have you waited so long to ask about telling your parents? Her parents need to know as do yours if what you think you are doing is dating. You two are much too young to be dating.