by Shannon W
Member since:
November 11, 2006

First Sleepover Party: What Would You Do?

February 06, 2009 02:46 PM EST (Updated: February 06, 2009 02:47 PM EST)
views: 246 | comments: 18

My 9 year old has his first invitation to a sleep over birthday party. I do not know the family. How would you handle letting your child go?

My son has slept over at his great grandparents and had a "lock in" sleepover at the church.

I am protective of my children and don't believe in letting them go to someone's house that I never met. I think everyone should be like that.

So I plan to call the parents, speak with them, drive by their house before the party, go with  him the day of the party to check things out.

So how else would you handle it? I don't want him to miss out on some fun but I do want him to be safe.

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Comments: 18

j - Frugal Mom - r. Feb 6, 2009, 2:51pm EST
I don't blame you for being protective. I would definitely do the same things you intend to. I think I would be terrified, if it was me.
Tory H. Feb 6, 2009, 2:51pm EST
That sounds like a good way to handle it-- go meet the parents and check things out in advance. Let us know how it all turns out!
Denise B. Feb 6, 2009, 2:53pm EST
I have always know the parents - but sounds like you have a good plan - hope he has a good time
Bebe S. Feb 6, 2009, 2:56pm EST
I would not. Only because you do not know the family.

My son has had several sleep overs with 2 families that we are very close with. He has only been maybe 3 times and it is kind of hard.

I have had one of his friends over for the night one time and it was a lot of fun but we are close with the family. If not I would never even invite.

Good luck!!!
Kathleen**Hair is my LIFE!*** K. Feb 6, 2009, 2:58pm EST
It is good to find out about how he and this other child get along in shcool or wherever he knows him form. Then the parents. It sounds like a last minute thing....next time, I'd tell him you have to meet the parents IN ADVANCE, and not the night of. It's good to be protective, that means you're doing your job as a mom.
DiAnA D. Feb 6, 2009, 3:09pm EST
good luck to him.. you are taking the necessary precautions..
Matt O. Feb 6, 2009, 3:16pm EST
talk to the parents and also other parents of kids who are going.
Janet "Jax" B. Feb 6, 2009, 3:59pm EST
I'd do exactly what you are doing...call and go meet them....then if you don't feel comfortable letting him stay the night, say you have somewhere to go early and you need to pick him up by 10pm or so
Melanie S. Feb 6, 2009, 4:16pm EST
I agree with Janet. I would want to meet the parents first and then if I didn't feel comfortable I would agree to letting my child attend the party, but not overnight.
Vivian P. Feb 6, 2009, 4:18pm EST
by all means meet the parents first.
I have never allowed my daughter to spend the night at someone's house if I didn't know them. That meant meeting them once or twice at least & at least one time at their home.
I also didn't let her go to people's home where they smoked or drank - I'm a bit strick like that.
I do all of those things too, but I take it a step further and usually don't allow my kids to go anywhere, where that child hasn't stayed here at my house.....you can learn alot about a family by having a kid over and observing their manners and how they behave.



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Teresa W. Feb 7, 2009, 2:43am EST
Since we don't know the family I am not comfortable with it. And I would want to know them first. And I still wouldn't be comfortable with it unless I knew them pretty well.
Deneen L. Feb 7, 2009, 2:50am EST
I would never let my child go to someone house to sleep over or even in their house without me being there if I don't know the person. There is this little girl that lives a few houses away from us, my little girl always wants to go inside and play in the little girls house, but I have to put my foot down and tell her if she wants to play with her she has to be where I can see her, I don't want her in the house when I don't know them and I don't know who all is in that house. I keep telling Cat when I get to know the parents alittle more then she will be allowed in her house but for now she has to be where I can see her at all times.
Courtney C. Feb 7, 2009, 1:42pm EST
I think what you intend to do is a good plan!
donna h. Feb 8, 2009, 4:37pm EST
sounds good
arlene (no shame in my game) w. Feb 12, 2009, 11:52am EST
I would have to meet the parents in their home and then I would be sneaking around peeking in the windows while my kid was there! And you thought you were protective. It is probably best that I didn't have children. Poor kid would never get to do nothin!
Jan S. Feb 16, 2009, 4:24pm EST
Do you have friends in common? Maybe there is another mom you can call to ask about the parents? I would certainly want to meet the parents, but a recommendation from another parent whose judgment I trust would help a lot.

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