Would you let your child sleepover if you don’t know the parents??

[Dickorydockwhatthe]

Ds is in year 8 and went into town today with some friends from school. He rang me to say he was going back to his friends house and then asked if he was allowed to sleep over he said it’s ok with his mum etc. The thing is I don’t know his parents or the child so what would you say?? I have their address so I said I would have to drop off his things etc so I guess I meet them then. What would you say??

If you are dropping off his stuff, meeting at least one of the parents and swapping numbers than yes.
It feels weird when it first starts happening doesn't it?

It is very weird and I’m trying hard to remember how we did it when I was a teenager and first started sleeping out!! At least we have mobiles these days to keep in contact! I’m guessing he feels comfortable there to sleep as I’ve just messaged him again to say his dads coming does he still want to sleep or picking up and he has said sleep.

I would definitely want to check with the parents and swap numbers to make sure (a) they are ok with it and (b) you can contact each other

I would have to meet them and go on my gut feeling, which you are doing.

Has he mentioned this boy before, friend wise, gone to parties?
If you are dropping stuff off later, that would be fine.
Normally I tell ds that I need their mum to text me, so now I have the numbers of all the mums of his say closest 10 boy friends.

Absolutely not!! On what planet do people let their 14 year olds have sleepovers at strangers houses??

I would. I think you have to accept that the older your teenager is, the less likely you are to meet the parents. I think by popping round with his stuff you're playing it exactly right. I always established some kind if phone contact with the parents.

I'd insist on ringing the mum and taking stuff there

This planet @Lemongingertea80

Yes l would. As my kids ot to year 8/9 l didn't know most parents. As,long as you have spoken to parent and they fine with it l wouldn't worry. Mind you l wouldn't have been dropping stuff off , what do teenagers need for a sleepover?

We are lucky that we know most of ds's friends mums from primary school or footie, but if I don't know one usually someone else will and will vouch for them (or not).

Only had one time when it didn't work out (ds was 13 and there were 5 friends staying over) and it was a bit worrying the stories he told of the night but he survived and he won't be back at that house (which is a shame as the friend whose house it was is actually really nice, kind and polite).

Thanks ladies dh took his tablet and charger around plus pants and toothbrush I’m hopeful 😬. Turns out it’s the boys birthday so he had one other lad sleeping around and then his mum asked my ds seeing as they went into town together and she doesn’t know many of her sons friends so nice to finally meet some and have them over!!

I feel better now 😊 it’s just difficult as ds has made new friends that aren’t from primary and we don’t live near the school either so feel a bit out of the loop! I’m also glad as ds had a rough time in year 7 and struggled to find his fit as he was only 1 of 6 from primary to go. It nice seeing him find a social group hence why I didn’t want to say no earlier but was cautious at the same time 😊