When I was a little girl sleepovers were the best. There was something so fun about spending the whole night with a friend. Now here I am with kids who want to sleep at their friend's houses. Boy has the coin flipped. I completely understand the excitement they have to spend the night at their friend's house, although now thinking like a mom I have doubts. It is not a question of if she is ready. At her age of ten she is more than ready. My concern is a more serious one. These days we hear way too many stories about terrible things happening behind closed doors. How do I know that her friend doesn't have a brother who is someone else when we do not see him or a father who has issues as well? They say even the people you think you know the most can be very different behind closed doors. When will I feel comfortable letting her carry out this milestone that I myself enjoyed many times as a kid? Are you comfortable with your kids sleeping over their friend's houses?
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Nope, not even close. Kids my daughter knows have been doing sleepovers since they were SIX. She's turning 8 next month and I'm still not on the OK train. Kids ask her all the time and I'm just evasive about when - she doesn't push it much either, thank goodness. Awesome that you have a 10 year old haven't done it yet.
Sleepovers are rare here but I have my worries even when my teens go to parties or to a tutor's house. So yeah.
I would have to know the parents REALLY well. I have an added excuse that Julia has to be able to completely care for and be responsible for her hearing aids. I can't send her off somewhere and have her come home with a mangled or missing device.
I blogged about this topic last week! In our town, the new thing in our town is a late-over. You get all the fun of a sleepover, only the kids all go home by 10. I think more and more parents are uncomfortable with the whole sleepover thing! Good luck and thanks for leaving me a comment today!
You are right to be concerned. I have the same fond memories and wish my children (now grown) had the same opportunites, but it's a different world. And actually I'm just amazed and grateful to not have any problems or complications related to the sleepovers throughout my youth.
But that said, that's what aunts and grandma's houses for for sometimes. The cousins had great sleepovers together. Guess we were lucky to always have that option!
kristin
Luckily, both of my kids are homebodies and like to sleep in their own beds, so we don't have much of an issue. I too have visions of someones skeevy older brother, dad, uncle...you never know.
I've let me 11 year old sleep over at friend's houses a couple of times and I hated it...luckily it doesn't come up often.
Gosh, I have to admit I've allowed her when it's a parent I KNOW REALLY REALLY well (i.e. one of my best friends is the parent!!). Otherwise, I can't imagine I would allow it... if I didn't know the parents intimately.
What a tough choice... My 7 year old BEGGED for a sleepover party for her bday last month. I did cave in and say yet. BUT, every child here was someone who I knew the parents BEYOND well. If it was someone from her elem. school, there's no way.
I'm also closely familiar with friends whose 6 year old girl fondled another (mutually) each other under the covers "inappropriately" while at a sleepover. So... Having said that... I think I'll go pour another glass of wine.
I'm always ready for a sleep over...at someone elses house :)
My hubs and I just discussed this very issue this weekend. My daughter is 4 and I just don't think so. She has a little friend that she spends a lot of time with now and while her family seems very nice, you JUST NEVER KNOW. It's going to be quite a while before I'm comfortable with sleepovers. I'm still getting used to the idea of my daughter having a playdate at someone's house when I'm not there!
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