Parents, how much do you have to know about the parents of your kids friends before a sleepover?

Question

Or even going there to play during the day without you.
What ages do you think are ok for a sleepover at their friends house?
But what I really want to know is; how much do you want to know about the people before you let you kids go home with them? And do you then relax? Or do you still worry something may happen to your child? Or am I paranoid?????????

Answer 1

relax....99.9% of the time the kids are going to be just fine....if you beat yourself up over the .01% it wont be long before you are certifiable. at what age is it ok to sleepover? depends on the maturity of your child. some eight yr olds will get homesick when the sun goes down. some five yr olds could care less. id say drop them off and stay by the phone. if by ten your phone doesnt ring, id start breaking out the beer!!

Answer 2

No, you are not paranoid. Even when you think you know people, they still can use poor judgement. When my son was about 9, he went for a sleepover to a friend's house. The house was only two blocks away and we knew the parents from church. About midnight, my son called and asked to come home because the other boys had gotten into the shaving cream and were having fights with it and it was getting all over the house. The parents had gone to bed about 11 p.m. and left the 16-year-old sister in charge of half a dozen 9 and 10-year-olds!

When my son was 12, we had a sleepover for his birthday and he invited six of his friends. NOT ONE SINGLE PARENT even came to the door to meet us!! NOT ONE!! And we had never met any of them before. I absolutely could not believe it.

So if you're paranoid, then I am, too. When my son was young, I wouldn't dream of letting him go to someone's house unless I had at least met them and seen the inside of the house. I think you can tell a lot about people from their house - there's messy, and then there's dirty. Messy is normal for a house with kids. Dirty - and I'm talking not cleaned in years dirty - is a different story.

As far as what age, nobody knows your child better than you. No one can say what specific age any particular child is ready for something like a sleepover. For my son's first sleepover (the first one I mentioned), we told him to call us any time, even if it was 2 o'clock in the morning, and we would come and get him. That way he knew that if he felt uncomfortable for any reason, he could come home.

Answer 3

In today's world you are not paranoid. Talk to parents on the phone and make sure they are okay with the sleepover. It is amazing how many kids think they are going to sleep over, but the parents were never asked. At least meet them once in person, this will give you a clue as to what your gut instinct is. Always tell your child that if he is not comfortable with what is going on, parents leave the house, drink, smoke (and not cigarettes), etc. that he is to call home and you will come and get him - even at three in the morning.

Answer 4

You're a parent...it's OK to be paranoid. Some may think it's too much but don't hesitate to check out your local sex offender registry for both parents. Find out their names, obviously the number, maybe what they do for a living... just so it's a little more than just a "Hi...hello...here's my kid!" Also, let your child know to call you if they feel at all uncomfortable. Set a specific time that you should pick them up or when they'll be dropped off...

Answer 5

At the least, you should talk to the other child's parents before you even drop your child off. Go with your gut feeling. Don't leave your child until you feel completely comfortable with where they're staying. Tell them if they're not having a good time, they can call you and you will come and pick them up. It's okay to call the child's parents and talk to them just to check up on your child and see how they're doing. After all this is your child and it's your job to protect them.

Answer 6

I talk to all my sons friends parents and if I think there ok then I let then play over at there houses. If I even get a little creep ed out while talking to them then I suggest that they play at our house. My oldest son is 8 years old and has never been allowed to sleep at a friends house, a relatives house yes, but a friends house no.

Answer 7

You are not paranoid... Most child molesters look and act perfectly normal when with other adults. You will never know if its safe to trust a person with your child if you don't really get to know them. Having said that, know that most parents are loving and respectable and would never harm any child. Make sure your child knows the no touch zones on his or her body and let the kid have fun with his friends sometimes.

Yes you will worry about them...We cant help it.

Answer 8

I didn't let my son start sleeping over friend's houses until about 10 and then i had to know the parents' pretty well, have a phone number, have seen and talked to them, seen their home, know if they had guns in their home and make sure they would be home the whole time. I may be overprotective, but my son will be safe.

Answer 9

I try and get to know the parents very well before I allow them to go over to their house. You can't trust anybody these days. My daughter was probably 6 when she spent the night at a friend's house, but I knew them very well. My son is six and has not done that yet. But one of his friends who's family I know well, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

Answer 10

iam the same way with my 11 yr old daughter, iam very picky when it comes to her friends that she wants 2 spend the night with and so forth,i myself dont let my daughters friends parents come pick her up for a sleepover if ive never met them, thats just crazy, some parents dont wanna meet other parents sounds weird,but true,ive had many of my daughters friends parents be that way, iam always scared the parents arent what they may look or seem,always thinkin the worst it seems lol, its just loving your kids and protecting them, i dont mind my daughter going to a sleepover but i alway meet the parents plus talk with them other the phone before they come to by........i myself started letting my daughter spend the night with her friends in the 4th grade... like i said before girl , ur not paranoid just a good momma