Lots of parents are talking about sleepovers. One dad of a high school freshman, a seventh grader, and a couple of younger kids says "Nothing good happens on high school sleepovers!" A mom in the conversation responds "Oh, no! I have such great memories of staying up all night with my friends!" Another mom's response -- "We'll do sleepovers, but only at my house!"
So, what is the answer? Obviously, like all things with teens, it depends. But each parent has a valid point of view.
- Sleepovers can be dangerous when kids take advantage of sleepovers to lie about where they are, or to stay with a parent with few rules.
- Sleepovers provide teens with opportunities to get to deep levels of intimate friendship when they share late at night.
- Sleepovers are best supervised by us with our own rules.
What's a parent to do? Here are a few points to consider as you establish your own sleepover policy.
- It's OK to have family standards that say, No. "I know others do, in our family, we don't do sleepovers after ___ grade."
- If you say yes, vet the "Approved Households" You can do this individually or host a "Parent Chat" by inviting parents of your kids' friends to discuss parenting topics including parent supervision standards for sleepovers.
- Even in approved households, call and confirm that these parents are expecting your child, and ask them to let you know if s/he doesn't arrive when expected. If you are dropping your child off, go to the door and make sure that the plans are what your child has told you.
- Decide and enforce your own standards. See more tips on hosting sleepovers by clicking here.
Do you have other ideas or thoughts? Share them with us!
