The Tribune has posted a story about the preteen- and teen-ritual, sleepovers, going out the door.
Every parent can - and should - make decisions on how to parent.
Here’s my thoughts: My son - then 6 - participated in his first sleepover birthday party about a year ago.
I met the boy’s mom in college, though we lost touch over the years. We “met again” when our boys were in preschool together four years ago. I also met her husband then.
Though the kids see each other daily at school, we moms only see each other every few weeks. Sad, I confess, since we live just down the street from one another. Busy lives and work keep the calendar booked.
When my friend asked about my son coming to the party, I checked with her about how many kids would be coming and what the plans were for the evening. I also talked to my husband and our son. He wanted to go, but we let him know we would come anytime if he wanted to come home. It’s a 3-minute drive.
My friend agreed that was a good plan.
There was a bit of a rough patch that night, when my son didn’t want to go to sleep at midnight, but overall he did fine.
My daughter was also invited to a sleepover party in the spring. She is 4.
I don’t know the parents. Our daughters are in school together and see each other daily, but I’d only met thems once or twice.
My daughter did not attend. I think 4 is a bit young to go to a friend’s overnight, though she does spend the night with grandparents a few times a year.
As the kids get older, I have to admit, I may worry more than I do now.
But if our kids still have the relationships with their closest friends now, and they’ve earned the trust, and if we still have the relationships with their parents - I would probably say yes.
Yes, I know, a lot of IFs, but isn’t that what parenting is about?
