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Will you approve a sleepover for a 12 year old girl at her friend's house?

My 12 year old daughter wants to sleep over at her friend's house. I said no, because I don't know her friend's parents and I don't know the background of the child's family. And now, she is mad at me because I wont let her have a sleepover tomorrow. I said to her she could stay there from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm, but no sleepover. She is still not happy with it. My husband is not helping at all as he just keep on saying "yes" to sleepover, contradicting me once again. I am upset and not happy. I am just avoiding the topic now and put myself on a timeout. 😭
SW-User Best Comment
I wouldn’t unless I knew the parents well that was the rules when I was that age. If my parents didn’t know them well the answer was always no for my own safety.
tryingtobeOK · 36-40, F
It was the same for me. I grew up in a Filipino culture , my mother will just allow me to sleepover if she knows the parents. @SW-User

summersong · F
Why wouldn’t you just set up a time to talk to the parents if you’re that uncomfortable?
tryingtobeOK · 36-40, F
UPDATE: My daughter woke up this morning realizing why I said "no". She hugged me in the kitchen while I was making breakfast. As a parent, I think we just need to be firm and husbands should also need to support what is best for the children. 💙
@tryingtobeOK your daughter is really sensible at her age, you're doing a good job
Jenny1234 · 51-55, F
I never let my kids sleep over at anyone's house if I didn't know the parents really well. I did what you offered - to let them go over for a while and I'd pick them up at a certain time. They weren't happy at the time but they forgot about it by the next day
tryingtobeOK · 36-40, F
I think this is very understandable and there is a big reason why it's a no. I am just upset because I have no back up from my husband about this situation and he just want to say "yes" all the time. He is playing the "good cop" again to make me look bad.@Jenny1234
Jenny1234 · 51-55, F
@tryingtobeOK your husband needs to be on your side about it.
Show him that article of the step father who murdered his partner her children and her child's friend who was sleeping over that night.
I wouldn't let a child sleep at an adults house that I don't know either. I remember specifically I'd always have friends sleep over and I wasn't allowed to sleep over their house until I was like 15/16 and I had known them for years and our parents each other by that point. I wasn't happy at the time but I'm glad my parents did so
tryingtobeOK · 36-40, F
This is super scary. We just don't know what happen behind close doors.@PepsiColaP
angie8819 · 56-60, F
Would you let her host a sleepover that way you could get to know her friends
iamnikki · 31-35, F
I think you're doing the right thing. I was only allowed to go to one sleepover. It was my best friend, and my mom had spoken to her mom and knew of her mom of course so it was ok. She was also a single mom, so I think that definently makes a difference. Things can happen... You're the mom, and I think 1-8pm is more than enough time. Still get to enjoy the party. Nobody will be having fun when they're sleep anyway.
i don't have kids. but sleepovers are a normal part of growing up. of course i'd meet the parents, family, and scope out the house first, when dropping her off that night. if i saw something wrong, i'd back out with an excuse and explain why in the car home.

good parents trust their kids to make small choices for themselves, esp at 12 she's starting to gain some independence, with room for error. she's probably not as naïve as you think, if she's in public school, if she has access to internet, or TV... unless you've helicoptered over every waking moment of her life... it's important to let kids have their own experiences no matter how much you want to protect them. otherwise she will grow to resent you.

then again, do what you're comfortable with. it's your kid.
ozgirl512 · 26-30, F
Sleepovers are a natural part of growing... Is part of maturing and gaining self confidence.

Due you attempt to find out about the other family or just issue a blanket "no" ?
1490wayb · 56-60, M
a conversation with other parents is needed i believe before deciding
Ksmile14 · F
If you have enough time find out about her parents. Ask other parents. Find out what other friends whose parents you trust are going and ask them. Call the girls parents and just talk to them.

It would be cool to let your daughter go. They are fun and good social time. I would be so sad if I couldn't and wanted to. :(
As others have said, it would make sense to arrange a meeting with her friend’s parents. Nobody should have a problem with that.
AlyAngel · F
I wouldn't either. Especially because you dont know anything about that family. I've been in a situation where my mom didnt know who's care I was under and it ended very badly. Trust your mama gut.
tryingtobeOK · 36-40, F
Yes, the exact reason why I said no. She is my only child and I care about her safety.@AlyAngel
DeluxedEdition · 26-30, F
No,speaking from someone who knows. you are doing the right thing. My mom was like this but as she got older her alcoholism got worse and she quite literally let my sister and I do whatever we wanted

Granted we had good morals and values and didn’t do anything that we shouldn’t.

But I would go to peoples house and later to find out their parents were using drugs. I lost around 30 people I graduated with last year to overdoses

I found out one of my best friends was using meth secretly behind my back and I was too dumb and young to know wtf was going on

I eventually met my boyfriend who was 19 and I was 14. He got me pregnant at age 17 and my life quite literally has never been the same lol

I look back at when we were younger and I’m very glad she did tell me no all the times that she did but I wish she had told me no more. Especially when I was older and that’s when kids tend to get into trouble

You are doing the right thing and your husband probably just wants some alone time but it’s not worth it
I have a rule of no sleepovers for my daughter. I work with children who’ve been victims of abuse, it’s not uncommon for people in my line of work to adopt the same rule, even the police I talk to won’t allow their kids to have sleepovers. I believe it’s not worth the risk but it still seems controversial to a lot of people
tryingtobeOK · 36-40, F
It's merely the safety of my daughter, that's my first priority. I also don't know who will be the people in that household.@Notladylike
@tryingtobeOK Exactly you have no idea. The amount of cases I see where siblings in the household have abused their own siblings friends. Trust your instinct on this one I totally agree with you
reflectingmonkey · 51-55, M
have you met her friend? you can tell a lot about her parents just by talking to her: does she speak well, is she polite, does her clothes look clean and well taken care of? what exactly DO you know about the parents? can you list random facts that you know about them?
tryingtobeOK · 36-40, F
I haven't met her friend. I can only hear stories about her, from my daughter. There's not much info though, from my daughter.@reflectingmonkey
reflectingmonkey · 51-55, M
@tryingtobeOK if you haven't even met the friend I would say no. you must at least meet the friend to see what type of kid this is.
SW-User
Honestly, what I would do is let them go, but go with them. Meet the parents when you arrive, share a drink of tea or coffee or something, and let them have the experience. But that's just me.
Jenny1234 · 51-55, F
@SW-User and what if you're not invited in for tea or coffee? do you let her stay?
tryingtobeOK · 36-40, F
Exactly what I was thinking. @Jenny1234
SW-User
@Jenny1234 If they do not wish to introduce themselves, then that raises red flags. I'd see what's up, and if they're being very defensive about it, then I'd have to take the kid home and try to explain why they couldn't stay the night... Or even at all.

Of course, I grew up in a very different time, in a very quiet neighbourhood. The only times I was never really allowed to participate in sleep overs was if something important was coming up, or someone was sick.
SW-User
I wouldn't unless i knew the parents. She'll probably be fine though, but without knowing the parents you don't know if they'll even be home or if they drink heavily or have a creepy uncle staying there etc.
SW-User
Yes, I would.
TexChik · F
No ! Not unless you know the parents and trust them . Not at 12
tryingtobeOK · 36-40, F
I agree, I am thinking the same way. @TexChik
TexChik · F
Notsimilar · 31-35, F
Why don't you talk with the aprents and meet them first??
tryingtobeOK · 36-40, F
I don't think there is a time for that. The sleepover will be tomorrow night already. My daughter just told us "today" after school.@Notsimilar
At the end of the day it's your child.
Don't do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. You will never forgive yourself if anything happens. Maybe have a talk with her about why your uncomfortable and make a deal to take her to the mall for shopping and mommy daughter time. While there teach her about not trusting everyone.
Anyway good luck tough situation,she will get over it.
SW-User
Give them a call or pop over.
You’ll know then if you are going to be happy with it.
bugeye · 26-30, F
on one hand i think you may be worrying a little too much. i stayed over at friends houses at that age. i just had to tell my parents the address and as long i was well behaved all was well.

on the other hand what you say as a parent goes. your child, your call. if you and your partner arent on the same boat with this it's best to try n come to a consensus.
SW-User
Your thinking is just, wise, and warranted on all fronts
ABCDEF7 · M
No, 12 years is too naïve.
8Rockhead8 · 51-55, M
Husband needs a smack in the back of his head. The decision on this type of situation should be deferred to the Mom. Her insight and instincts are much more keen than his when it comes to these types of get togethers.
tryingtobeOK · 36-40, F
He kept on bugging me last night about the sleep over. It came to a point that I got so mad and kicked the door. I said "What is it that you don't understand, about no? " I actually kept quiet and did not say anything. I said, making your daughter feel happy does not mean, it is the right thing to do! The thing with my husband, he thinks that being a good parent is giving everything what his daughter wants.@8Rockhead8
Remmy · F
I don't have kids so a non-parents perspective is tell your daughter she can have her friend stay the night at your house. That way you know what's going on and she still gets to have her sleepover.
MellyMel22 · F
I have been funny with ALL 4 of my kids with sleepovers and even visits w/friends at their homes. Some of us are like that, but I know it’s hard for the kids.
tryingtobeOK · 36-40, F
I can only explain to her the reason. We all have the reason. She had a sleepover before in her friend's house as the mom was a close friend of mine. @MellyMel22
MellyMel22 · F
@tryingtobeOK That’s very different though. I’m okay with that. One day she’ll understand.
RavensStar98 · 31-35, M
Well you do have to be cautious these days so good on you for bein a good protective mamma.. But at the same time maby your husband just wants some alone time with you.. 🤷‍♂️
Yes!! You’re right…

First just a casual playtime…meet her parents and see how that goes. Sleepovers are only when you know each other’s families well.
Keepitsimple · 51-55, F
If you don’t know the family it would be a no. Your husband shouldn’t be saying yes in front of her making you the bad guy for wanting her to be safe.
Your husband needs to be on the same page as you by him saying yes he is making you look like the "bad parent"
tryingtobeOK · 36-40, F
This is the reason our daughter is behaving negatively about this matter because of him contradicting me.@ExperienceDLT
@tryingtobeOK yea he shouldn't put you on the spot with her like that
If you don't know the parents that's the wise thing to do, your husband needs to support you
ozgirl512 · 26-30, F
Did you manage to come to a good conclusion on the issue?
tryingtobeOK · 36-40, F
I met my daughter's friend. She had a sleepover here in my house. @ozgirl512
ozgirl512 · 26-30, F
@tryingtobeOK good...a nice resolution for all
Call the parents and speak to them. You cant live with distrust of everyone, just my opinion.
BittersweetPotato · 31-35, F
I think you are right. Unless you know the family of her friend, it feels unsafe to let her sleepover.
MissUnderstandingMe · 26-30, F
These are the sort of parents who then text you around the holidays wondering why you won't talk to them.
DCarey · 46-50, M
You are doing the right thing if you don't know anything about the other girl's family. You can't be too safe.
Elisbch · M
I wouldn’t . Doesn’t help that hubby doesn’t get on the same page though. I’d stand your ground. 🤷‍♂️
celine211 · 22-25, F
Yeah, I agree when you don't know the parents. Lots of bat shit crazy ppl out there.
Lostpoet · M
You should face time with the girls mother.
I do tend to be lenient a lot but I agree with you here.
smileylovesgaming · 31-35, F
Gee just let her have the sleep over
maturedragon · 26-30, M
I would approve of that
HannahSky · F
Go meet the parents.
SW-User
You are in the right
Elinoria · 100+, F
I think you are right.
REMsleep · 41-45, F
No sleepovers esp someone you hardly know. No mamn. I agree. She can be mad all she wants to but she won't be molested or exposed to who knows what.
Your husband should not argue with you about discipline in the front of your child.
She can thank you later when she is grown up and safe. Period.
SW-User
@REMsleep She won’t be thanking her for depriving her of totally normal childhood experiences.

 
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