Sleepovers

[Earthy]

Do you let your kids sleep over at relatives, friends or anywhere else? Why or why not?

I let my kids sleep over at my mom's house, once in a while. That's about it. I don't believe in having sleepovers really, I just don't like it.

Though last summer we had a big thing and there were several boys who camped in our backyard. That won't happen often though, as one of the boys left without anyone knowing in the wee hours of the morning.

[AussieMum]

My kids spend time with grandparents, aunts & uncles, they love it, it gives them time to build relationships and gives us a break. None of our family live in the same town as us.
As for friends, they are allowed to sleep over on a case by case approval, although I haven't ever said no yet. Usually it's with families we know. But realistically, most of the sleepovers happen at our place, and there aren't that many reciprocal invitations, which I don't mind, and the kids seem not to notice. I like having them around, I know where they are and what they're doing. And sometimes you get to see a different side of your child when they are with a friend.

[Jackie]

They are rare in our house, other than Grandma's house. Rachael's been to a number of sleepoever birthdays lately (three this spring!), and I let her go. But I also knew the parents involved, and the young ladies. We had a sleepover for her birthday, too. The kids have also spent the night at my cousin's house, and once with a family in our church while Carl and I went out of town.

[momothem]

Grandparents and about 2 sets of family friends. Sleepovers are very limited.

[Hoosier Mama]

We do sleepovers, but limit them to close family friends from our church and relatives ( and not all relatives, either!) We have a general rule that they get 1 sleepover a month...but sometimes it is more than that if there is a special occassion that comes up after they already use their one allowance. We also mostly end up having them at our house, so I feel better about that.

[ABall]

I would say just at my mom's because there really aren't other kids around here to play with. but then I'm glad because if it were one girl or boy to be asked then the other one would feel left out. I have one son that wakes up very early and it even bothers my mom and thats why she doesn't ask them over more often. I also have one dd that has an imature bladder and uses good nights.

[MonkeyMamma]

We do sleepovers all the time and it's great! Both girls spend the night with grandparents and cousins. Even Grace at 4 years old loves to spend the night with cousins.

Samantha either goes to or has sleepovers all the time. Of course the girls that she does sleepovers with we have known for years and I'm good friends with lots of the moms and dh hunts with several of the dads. All of Samantha's friends are great wonderful kids! I think it is important to really build those relationships!

I remember when I was a kid staying up with a friend till 3am talking and giggling and watching movies and doing each others nails. Those were great memories for me. Ones I will never forget and I'm still friends with a lot of those girls!

Samantha's friends are allowed over pretty much anytime. I want her friends to feel comfortable in my home. I want my home to be a place where friends feel welcome like family and a couple of her friends have become like family. She has even gone on vacation with her best friend.

[MonkeyMamma]

ABall - my niece had an immature bladder and wore Goodnights too. She was 11 before she could spend the night anywhere.

[Emma's#1fan]

Emma has sleep overs with family and two of her friends. I know the families and feel safe with them.
I do not feel comfortable allowing her to stay at just anyones home. They also stay over at our house.
Patty

[MonkeyMamma]

Oh yeah I don't let Samantha stay with anyone I don't know well. Several years ago she was invited to a slumber party for a girl in her ps class and she was so mad she couldn't go because we didn't know the parents.

[Deena]

We allow overnights with good friends. We'd of course allow it with most family, but we don't have family around us, so it's mostly good friends from church---either here or at the friend's house. Both of our families live far enough away that it's our whole family that sleeps over when we go to visit.

[Ohio Mom]

We allow sleepovers with grandparents and occasionally friends, not too often. We also have the other grandchildren (both girls) have sleepovers here.

[MonkeyMamma]

Speaking of sleepovers - my niece (brother's youngest dd12) just called and asked Samantha to spend several nights with them! We are all going to meet at my parents house tomorrow for their anniversary celebration and she will go home with them from there and probably stay until the 4th. They just moved into a new home and Samantha is soooooo excited! Grace however is a bit dissapointed she can't go.

[MelissainMi]

Madison spends everyother weekend at my sister's(I work those weekends so its easier on everyone) and occasionally my neices will spend the night at our house. Madison has been to 1 friends for a sleepover. I am thinking of having one for her bday in september.