• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Display Search Bar
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Facebook Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Twitter Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Pinterest Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Instagram Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on YouTube Follow 5 Minutes For Mom via RSS

5 Minutes for Mom

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast and Brunch
      • Snack
      • Lunch
      • Appetizer
      • Dinner
      • Dessert
    • Ingredient
      • Apple
      • Beef
      • Blueberry
      • Chicken
      • Chocolate
      • Cranberry
      • Peach
      • Pumpkin
      • Squash
      • Strawberry
      • Tomato
      • Vegetables
      • Zucchini
    • Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Baking
      • Grilling
      • Instant Pot
      • No Bake
      • One Dish
      • Slow Cooker
    • Type
      • Breads and Rolls
      • Cakes and Muffins
      • Condiments
      • Cookies and Bars
      • Drinks
      • Food for Kids
      • Gluten-Free
      • Main Dish
      • Pies and Crisps
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches and Wraps
      • Side Dishes
      • Smoothies
      • Soup
  • Crafts & DIY
    • Crafts
    • DIY
    • Kids Crafts
    • Printables
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing
  • Family Life
    • Giveaways
    • Lifestyle
    • Marriage
    • Motherhood
    • Parenting
    • Pet Care
    • Special Needs
    • Time Management
    • Travel
  • Holidays
    • New Year’s
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Mother’s Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas

You Can Date Boys When You’re Forty: Dave Barry on Parenting and Other Topics

February 24, 2014 by Elizabeth

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

ShareTweetPinPocketMail

5M4B disclosure

dave barry

Heeeeee’s back! I don’t know about you, but I used to love reading Dave Barry’s weekly column in my local paper, back in the day when we got the paper. I discovered his books, collections of his columns, and avidly read those too. But in recent years, we’ve drifted apart. I don’t know if he hasn’t been writing as much or if it’s the lack of a paper in my life, but although every New Year’s I google his “Year in Review,” other than that I haven’t read much new stuff in about 10 years.

So I was thrilled to see he’s back, nattering on about parenting and other topics he knows very little about, in as fine a form as ever.

This new collection is great. He takes his 13-year-old daughter to a Justin Bieber concert, he reads 50 Shades of Grey in order to find out what women really want, Mr. Language Person returns to explain grammar to us, Dave, his wife Michelle, and their daughter Sophia tour Israel, and so much more.

Dave’s gift is always to be a kind of clueless Everyman who ends each story with something unexpected. He explains that “It turns out that the noise teenage girls make to express rapturous happiness is the same noise they would make if their feet were being gnawed off by badgers.” (p 12) His take on 50 Shades of Grey (which, for the record, I have not read) is hysterical while confirming in my mind yet again the many reasons I don’t want to read it. “This is the kind of book where, instead of saying things, characters muse them, and they are somehow able to muse them matter-of-factly.” (p56)

Dave is 65 now (I know!) and contemplating his own mortality, mostly thanks to the mail he gets, and the commercials for Viagra that insist on coming on during family appropriate television. (Aside: I have been amazed at this myself) He makes a comparison chart  for prescription drugs whose names sound like characters in The Lord of the Rings (p.86).

The title of You Can Date Boys When You’re Forty: Dave Barry on Parenting and Other Topics He Knows Very Little About comes by way of explanation: Sophie is not allowed to date boys til she’s 40. “This is the only rule I’ve laid down for her and I think it’s reasonable, based on the known scientific fact that boys–even intelligent, thoughtful, loving, sensitive and caring boys–are scum.” (p 87) And he plans to monitor her closely even after she commences dating–even if he’s dead. As he explains in the introduction, this book covers a variety of topics, but the publishers rejected many of Barry’s title suggestions such as Dave Barry: A Dave Barry Book, by Dave Barry or Dave Barry: You Probably Thought He Was Dead.

You Can Date Boys When You’re Forty explains how to be manly in various situations, how to become a best-selling author, and how to walk backwards off a cliff without sending anything unfortunate down onto the heads of those below. It explains how to avoid run-on sentences, which Barry shows are sentences that continue beyond where they should have stopped. While it may sound like a practical book, its best use is to provide hours of enjoyment to the whole family. Because I don’t know about your husband, but mine loves it when I snort, quietly to myself and in a lady-like fashion of course, and then insist on sharing with him a snippet of what I’m reading. But I can tell you that right now, next to me on the couch, my daughter is discovering Dave Barry for the first time and is snorting with laughter herself. And sharing snippets with me.

Hours of fun, this latest book shows that age hasn’t slowed Dave Barry down a bit! It’s a delightful read, highly recommended.

Win it

Best of all, one of you can win a free copy for yourself. Follow the instruction in the widget to enter. Start off by leaving a comment telling me how old you were when you had your first date.

Entry-Form
ShareTweetPinPocketMail
Around the Blogosphere – Add YOUR Giveaway Link #Giveaways
Tie Dye Milk – Easy Science Experiment for Kids

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a voracious reader with eclectic tastes who loves being part of the team at 5 Minutes for Books. She's lived in 7 countries and is currently in Oregon, where she spends most of her time with Iraqi refugees. She has 3 teens.

Reader Interactions


Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

69 Comments

  1. Abdul Woodward says

    February 1, 2021 at 9:07 am

    This is a very interesting article. Please, share more like this!

    Reply
  2. Official Site says

    September 17, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    This is because local marketing agencies are more familiar with the
    consumers in this part of the world and would be able to suggest better strategies based
    on consumer behavior. When creating goals, make sure it is specifically defined.
    Well positioned products and attractive pricing tags will
    attract a good number of clients to your store.

    Reply
  3. read full article says

    September 10, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    In fact, energy-saving LED lighting is up to 70% more efficient
    and often comes with 10 to 15 year warranties from the manufacturer.

    A business office may need something powerful
    and commanding. Use curtains as a magic tool
    to bring in balance in your rooms.

    Reply
  4. Sand says

    March 8, 2014 at 7:22 pm

    I was seventeen.

    Reply
  5. Wes Hovorka says

    March 8, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    I was about 15 years old.

    Reply
  6. Nick H. says

    March 8, 2014 at 3:44 pm

    I was 14 when I had my first date!

    Reply
  7. Jane H says

    March 8, 2014 at 2:14 pm

    I was 16 and he was 17. We went to the school dance together.

    Reply
  8. Carl White says

    March 8, 2014 at 11:52 am


    43, no, but too old to remember. Does getting fondled by your teacher count?

    Reply
  9. Misha Estrada says

    March 8, 2014 at 10:21 am

    I was 14, and it was a double date.

    Reply
  10. Renae C. says

    March 8, 2014 at 8:39 am

    I was 19 when I had my first date. It was awkward and weird. I am actually very happy that I waited as long as I did.

    Reply
  11. emily l says

    March 8, 2014 at 12:26 am

    I was 12. 🙂 And it was Titanic.

    Reply
  12. Brenda Elsner says

    March 8, 2014 at 12:01 am

    I was 16 when I went on my first date.

    Reply
  13. susan smoaks says

    March 7, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    18 years old on my first date. i was a late bloomer. i am tony l smoaks on rafflecopter.

    Reply
  14. Angela W says

    March 7, 2014 at 8:22 pm

    I was 16 years old

    Reply
  15. lori Walker says

    March 7, 2014 at 7:01 pm

    16, that was how old i was on my first date.

    Reply
  16. Charlene says

    March 7, 2014 at 6:42 pm

    I had my first date when I was 13 years old 🙂

    Reply
  17. Brenda Robinson says

    March 7, 2014 at 8:13 am

    I was 18 years old

    Reply
  18. Karen Drake says

    March 7, 2014 at 6:38 am

    I was nineteen when I had my first date.

    Reply
  19. Belinda Shaw says

    March 7, 2014 at 5:16 am

    I was age 16 on my first date.

    Reply
  20. Heather B says

    March 7, 2014 at 12:53 am

    I was 15 I believe, maybe 14

    Reply
  21. katie k says

    March 6, 2014 at 9:46 pm

    18 or 19 – late bloomer! 🙂

    Reply
  22. Daniel M says

    March 6, 2014 at 8:56 pm

    don’t remember 15 or 16

    Reply
  23. Kati says

    March 6, 2014 at 12:39 pm

    16 I believe! Looking back I probably wasn’t ready, but “everybody else was doing it”

    Reply
  24. Danielle hall says

    March 6, 2014 at 11:51 am

    ummm 17 i believe

    Reply
  25. Cynthia C says

    March 6, 2014 at 9:04 am

    I was sixteen when I had my first date.

    Reply
  26. amy f says

    March 5, 2014 at 10:42 pm

    I was 15 or 16

    Reply
  27. Thomas Murphy says

    March 5, 2014 at 8:21 pm

    I was 16 when I went on my first date.

    Reply
  28. lisa says

    March 5, 2014 at 5:08 pm

    I was eighteen 🙂

    Reply
  29. Amanda Sakovitz says

    March 5, 2014 at 2:32 pm

    I was 14 when I went on my first date.

    Reply
  30. Karen T says

    March 5, 2014 at 6:24 am

    I don’t want to read Fifty Shades of Grey either.

    Reply
  31. Michelle C says

    March 5, 2014 at 3:13 am

    I was around 15 for my first date but my daughter will be 21.

    Reply
  32. Claudia says

    March 4, 2014 at 11:25 pm

    I was 16 when I went on my first date,Thank you!

    Reply
  33. Mihaela Day says

    March 4, 2014 at 4:39 pm

    I went on my first date when I was 12 years old 🙂

    Reply
  34. Shelton says

    March 4, 2014 at 11:36 am

    The first real date- I was 16. It was the best of times and the worst of times.

    Reply
  35. ron frampton says

    March 3, 2014 at 5:23 pm

    I was 14 when went on first date

    Reply
  36. Kristie says

    March 3, 2014 at 8:49 am

    I must have been 17…I went to prom 🙂

    Reply
  37. DarcieN says

    March 3, 2014 at 3:53 am

    Without my parents knowing, 15. With my parents knowing, 16.

    Reply
  38. Xty Cruz says

    March 2, 2014 at 9:32 pm

    I think I was 15.

    Reply
  39. Ann F says

    March 2, 2014 at 8:44 pm

    I think I was 16 when I went on my first date

    Reply
  40. Shannon Baas says

    March 2, 2014 at 8:23 pm

    I was around 16

    Reply
  41. Sara S says

    March 2, 2014 at 5:33 pm

    I think I was 15 or 16….

    Reply
  42. Susan Smith says

    March 2, 2014 at 4:34 pm

    I was 16 when I had my first date

    Reply
  43. vickie couturier says

    February 28, 2014 at 11:35 am

    I was 15 an it was a double date,wasnt allowed to single date until I was16

    Reply
  44. Dorothy says

    February 27, 2014 at 5:08 pm

    I was 16 when I had my first date

    Reply
  45. JEN says

    February 27, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    I had my first date when I was 17, but with our daughters, 40 sounds about right.

    Reply
  46. Terra Heck says

    February 26, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    I was 13 when I went on my first date. I watched Turner and Hooch at a movie theater with a boy. Thanks.

    Reply
  47. Debbie says

    February 26, 2014 at 11:14 am

    I was 15 when I first started dating…I was also a senior in high school at the time (skipped grades) and I felt like I was way behind everyone else!

    Reply
  48. K. Finn says

    February 26, 2014 at 6:38 am

    I think I was about 16-17.

    Reply
  49. Linda Meyers-Gabbard says

    February 26, 2014 at 6:32 am

    I wasn’t allowed to date until I turned 16. I was asked out for the first time at 15. Two weeks shy of my 16th birthday. I had to turn him down. I was told no.

    The next time I was asked out I was 17. We went rollar skating.

    Reply
  50. Pamela j says

    February 26, 2014 at 3:58 am

    I was about 15 on my first date and it really wasn’t a real date. I went with a friend and her cousin so she could date her boyfriend.

    Reply
  51. Judith says

    February 25, 2014 at 8:49 pm

    i love his book: dave barry does japan. my first date : 19. and it took me til 39 to get married.

    Reply
  52. danielle says

    February 25, 2014 at 8:44 pm

    I was 16 when I had my first date

    Reply
  53. The Gang's Momma says

    February 25, 2014 at 2:18 pm

    I was a senior in high school I believe. On a date with my boyfriend to Friendlys for Fribbles and fries 🙂

    Reply
  54. GreenEyedDaisy says

    February 25, 2014 at 11:19 am

    I was about 12. Someone drove us to the movies.

    Reply
  55. Rhonda says

    February 25, 2014 at 10:25 am

    Sweet sixteen&it
    was sweet.

    Reply
  56. Lynette says

    February 25, 2014 at 10:25 am

    hmm, maybe 18?

    Would love a copy of Dave’s book!

    Reply
  57. James in NC says

    February 25, 2014 at 10:22 am

    Believe it or not, I was 35. Married her when I was 36. I’m now 65 and we are still in love.

    Reply
  58. Annette W {This Simple Home} says

    February 25, 2014 at 10:13 am

    I think I was fourteen. Maybe.

    EEEEK!

    Reply
  59. Chatmal says

    February 25, 2014 at 9:11 am

    I’m a big Dave Barry Fan! I even saw his band play loudly once!
    I was about 15 when I first dated, but I’m not even sure we were totally alone then!

    Reply
  60. Patricia says

    February 25, 2014 at 8:40 am

    I was sixteen.

    Reply
  61. Susan Kelly says

    February 25, 2014 at 7:09 am

    I was 17 when I had my first date.

    Reply
  62. Head_Smashed_In says

    February 25, 2014 at 3:15 am

    *snork* at “…and other topics he knows very little about.”

    Reply
  63. Susan P. says

    February 25, 2014 at 12:29 am

    I was 14 when I went on my first date.

    Reply
  64. Sue Eckhardt says

    February 24, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    Dave does a LOT of stuff throughout the year. I post whatever I can find out about on a Facebook page that I manage. Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/145749861758/

    Reply
  65. Christine L. says

    February 24, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    I was 18 before I went on my first date. Late bloomer!

    Reply
  66. Theresa Ramus says

    February 24, 2014 at 7:38 pm

    I went on my first date when I was 12 years old.

    Reply
  67. Nicole Robinson says

    February 24, 2014 at 11:19 am

    I was probably pretty old before my first date. I remember a lot of group dates with my parents and cousins in tow. So romantic, right?

    Reply
  68. Bin says

    February 24, 2014 at 8:46 am

    I love Dave Barry! Would love a copy of this. Thanks!!

    Reply
  69. Mark says

    February 24, 2014 at 2:34 am

    I was 17 when I had my first date.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Bringing Moms Together

We are Janice and Susan, twin bloggers and work-at-home moms. We're here to inspire, encourage & empower you.

Meet Us…

Work With Us…

Subscribe via Email

to be first to read new posts

Trending Now

“You Color My World” Free Printable Valentines

“You Color My World” Free Printable Valentines

Oven Roasted Potatoes and Peppers Recipe

Oven Roasted Potatoes and Peppers Recipe

How To Use A Moka Pot – Discover The Secret To Making Amazing Coffee At Home

How To Use A Moka Pot – Discover The Secret To Making Amazing Coffee At Home

Get Outside and Play with Spray Chalk

Get Outside and Play with Spray Chalk

browse around

  • Posts by Susan
  • Posts by Janice
  • Favorite Recipes
  • Favorite Crafts
  • Giveaways
  • All Posts

Footer

Recipes

St. Patrick’s Day Sugar Cookies with a Clever Decorating Trick

St. Patrick’s Day Sugar Cookies with a Clever Decorating Trick

Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe and History

Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe and History

Easy Valentine Sugar Cookies

Easy Valentine Sugar Cookies

Crafts/DIY

Summer Word Search Puzzles For Kids

Summer Word Search Puzzles For Kids

“You Color My World” Free Printable Valentines

“You Color My World” Free Printable Valentines

Buddy the Elf Hat Pattern – How to Make an Elf Hat out of Felt

Buddy the Elf Hat Pattern – How to Make an Elf Hat out of Felt

Giveaways

Holiday Gift Guides and Christmas Giveaway 2024

Holiday Gift Guides and Christmas Giveaway 2024

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Women

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Women

REDEEMING LOVE Set to Strike Gold on the Big Screen #RedeemingLoveMovie

REDEEMING LOVE Set to Strike Gold on the Big Screen #RedeemingLoveMovie

Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Facebook Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Twitter Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Pinterest Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Instagram Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on YouTube Follow 5 Minutes For Mom via RSS
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Us
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2025 5 Minutes for MomTheme by Melissa Rose Design and Once Coupled