Been having a read through some of the older sleepover threads but they weren’t quite what I was after. The camping trip thread inspired my thinking.
Just wondering what the general consensus is with sleepovers?
My DCs have gone to the same school since nursery so I suppose we’d have heard if any of the parents were axe murderers but I feel myself starting to dread them being asked to or wanting to have sleepovers. To be clear, it hasn’t happened yet but I’m sure it will in the next couple of years.
I always thought my DM was very overprotective of us as she wasn’t keen on us going for sleepovers and there was a blanket ban if it was only the Dad that was home. I don’t want to be as bad as her but I probably do actually feel the same way and would rather it didn’t have to happen. I’m also wary of going the other way and being too lenient to try and not be like her!
It just feels strange to let your child go and stay in a house you’ve maybe not been in, with people you’ve only ever said hello to but don’t know very well. I’m not sure what my actual concern would be - how likely is it that they’re going to be abused in some way by a school friends parent? Highly unlikely I’m sure but there’s just something about it. I’d feel awkward inviting kids too because I’d presume their parents felt the same way!
I’m sure after we’ve done a few and it’s the same friends again and again we won’t give it a second thought though!
I’m also well aware that when they move up to secondary school it’s a whole different ball game too with new friends so that’s something else entirely. Friendships aren’t my strong point and I want to do everything possible to help my children develop strong friendships.
All in all I’m just curious what age you started allowing it or encouraging it? Did you have a level of how well you needed to know the parents before you allowed it? That type of thing.
My children are 9 and 10.