If you aren't ready to let your child do a sleepover, there are alternatives that might make them just as happy.
Whether a child can sleep over at someone else’s house is one of those things on which both the parent and child need to come to an agreement.
But what do you do when your child doesn’t accept that you’ve said no?
You could try to get to know the other parents so that you can have an idea of what the other family is like. It’s smart to know where your child will be staying, with whom, what the environment will be like, and any other details. Then make your decision based on what you’ve learned.
Or, if you’re adamant about not letting your child go to a sleepover, try suggesting what Susan Kane (editor-in-chief of Parenting magazine) calls a “sorta-sleepover.” Here’s how they work…
You could let your child stay over the friend’s house until maybe 10 p.m., then take them home. It’s a first step to get you to be more comfortable with idea of actually letting your child spend the entire night at someone else’s house.
If you do decide to let your child sleep over, make sure they are in the hands of responsible parents or guardians. This means making sure that no alcohol, drugs, or weapons are in the reach of children. You’re the parent, so don’t be afraid to set some rules for while your child is there, even though it’s not your house.
To read some opinions from moms, and to see what else Kane has to say about sleepovers, read the Chicago Tribune article below…
Do you let your children go to sleepovers? If so, what ages were your children when you started letting them attend sleepovers? If not, why not?
Should You Let Your Kids Sleepover At Their Friends’ Houses? [Chicago Tribune]
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