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Our oldest (11 years) is starting to ask to have girls over for sleepovers. We're not going to allow her to go or to have girls over, but it was an interesting discussion as parents.
We decided that there were more risks than benefits. And when we spoke to our daughter, the 'sleep/overnight' part wasn't important, it was spending lots of time with her friends. We found other outlets and all are happy.
But we had sleepovers when we were kids and had a ball! Is this one of the experiences that our kids won't have because of the 'big, bad world?'
Are you serious? What risks are you talking about. Most kids have sleepovers way before the age of 11. Why rob your kids of one of the highlights of childhood?
I was never allowed sleepovers as a kid. At the time, I accepted it because I knew I'd never change my parent's mind. Later, as an adult, I resented that my parents wanted, above all, piece of mind and found it easier to just say no to sleepovers (and most everything else).
Today, I allow sleepovers, although I need to know the parent. I am paranoid and I don't sleep as well when they're not home, but I have to put my lunacies aside and allow them to be kids.
But we had sleepovers when we were kids and had a ball!
The "big bad world" is only as big and bad as you allow it to be.
Seriously, it's not that much worse than when you were a kid. You just hear more about the crazy stuff because those "news" stories catch the attention of those who won't avoid them. Those stories are called "click bait."
I find it very sad that you would not even consider allowing your child to experience something that is really a fun part of being a kid, something that you admit you loved!! Don't you have any friends or neighbors who you trust enough to let your child stay with for one night??
Your kids have to grow up sometime, and they will have to do it without you by their sides every minute of every day.
The best thing you can do is KNOW the people your kid wants to hang out with, and KNOW the parents. When you go for a sleepover, go inside and talk to the parents about your expectations. Tell your child if there are any problems, they can call you at any time and you will pick them up.
I promise you will cause your child more problems if you NEVER allow him/her to host or attend a sleepover.
We allow sleepovers and we host sleepovers. We have to know the families of the kids but we do allow it. I don't think there is a higher risk of anything happening to kids than there was a generation ago. I just think there is more reporting on television.
I hated sleepovers when I was a kid. I don't know what we'll do with our son. I'd have to know the parents really well. I'm shocked when I see the stupid things seemingly intelligent adults do and allow so I think I'd be pretty selective.
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