So Lila gets an invitation to a schoolmate’s birthday sleepover and before she can tumble off the bus good, she’s shoving the little glossy card in my hand: “Can I go, please, please, puh-leeze, Mommy?”
All that begging and you’d think I don’t let her go anywhere.
And er, um, you’d be right.
Yes, I raise my hand and readily admit that I’m a play date blocker. Like, on the highest levels. If I don’t know your mama, I haven’t been to your house for any significant length of time, I haven’t a clue who all lives there, and your kid’s home-training is a little questionable? Nope—my kid’s not coming over.
Think this is a little excessive? Eh, not in my book. See, my mother was the same way—would look at me like I had four tongues and an extra set of teeth if I fixed my mouth to ask if I could hang out with someone other than her pre-approved list of kids. As far as she was concerned, I didn’t need any more stinking friends. Every last one of the ones she’d hooked me up with went to our church—the children of my mom’s long-time girlfriends. On Saturdays, we kids all hung out at the bowling alley, chewing on steak fries and scrounging for quarters for another game of Ms. Pac Man and Centipede while our parents slammed their bowling balls at the pins. If the ‘rents were feeling particularly randy, we’d all end up in someone’s basement, playing Monopoly and Connect Four and eating bowls of chitlins and collards while our parents talked and laughed about grown-up stuff with the other grown-up folk. And on Sundays, we all shared the same pews—reciting our Bible verses together and singing in the youth choir.
Those kids—they were family. Fully vetted. Millner endorsed. A decent bunch. Mommy could leave me at any one of their houses and trust that I was being well cared for, nobody was filling my head with nonsense or saying and doing inappropriate things in front of me or to me, and when she picked me up, I was a reasonably happy camper—the same kid she dropped off.
These days, things just ain’t the same.
To see how I handle picking the right friends for my kids, CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT (NOT SO) SOCIAL BUTTERFLIES on The Parenting Post at Parenting.com.
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My mom was the same way. She did not allow me to go to any friends house far less sleepover. In my senior year of high school, she finally let me go to my best friend's birthday party. At the time, I was resentful towards my mom for being so strict. However as I grew older, I realized this was necessary.
ReplyDeleteAs a mother now, I know I will be faced with this same dilemma and resentment from my kids but in the end they will certainly understand.
Amen to that Sistah! I already feel sorry for my 2 girls when they get to that age. I have a 2 1/2 year old and a 9 month old and the older one hasn't even slept over at her grandparents house for the night. My siter in law is always telling us to go away for the weekend and leave them with her. The offer is tempting at times but I knew my life would be changed forever when I made the choice to have them and I'm okay with that. Any road trip that my husband and I take they will be tagging along. Its home to your own bed and it will always be that way. I know first hand how one perverted close family friend can change your world forever. My girls will never know that experience, not with me as there mommy. I do hope though,that as they get older I'll be able to let my fear go(somewhat) and at least let them stay over at their grandparents house :)
ReplyDeleteMy mother never let me participate in any sleepovers. I remember being really upset with her brand of parenting. Now a mother, my children aren't going to any sleep overs, hang overs, or any other overs. I am so happy now mama looked out for me. Hopefully, my 3 little ones will feel the same way.
ReplyDeleteWell...in these times I can certainly see why...however I was allowed to go to sleepovers and have them as well. Nothing"bad" ever happened to me at any of them. They were friends from schools, my moms friends, and some from dance classes. I think that(as a therapist) its important to foster many relationships. That is not to say that my mother didn't have tricks up her sleeve..like inviting them over to my house more often than I went to theirs..or even inviting parents over to the house to sit doing my "play time"( I have tried this with my own kids from time to time). However I did have many friends.. different friends...and I enjoyed that fully. Just my two cents ...everyone has to make decisions best for their homes.
ReplyDeleteI am glad I am not the only one like this. My oldest is 5, and she only sleeps at home unless we are out of town of course. I just recently have found a friend that I trust them with for a few hours at a time. I am an advocate for kids being with their parents and sleeping in their own beds. With that said I do not see sleepovers in our future.
ReplyDeleteHey you don't want your child around everyone. Sometimes the parents have no sense and sometimes it's the kids you despise and the parents you love. My kids are always trying to go someones house and it never happens because of the gut feelings I have. Usually I am right.
ReplyDeleteTiffany
http://liferequiresmorechocolate.blogspot.com
I couldn't agree more. Although I was allowed to sleep over when I was a child, times have changed and my daughter will likely be a teen before she is allowed to sleep away from home.
ReplyDeleteI agree, my eldest son (12) doesn't understand. He told us he didn't want to go to camp the entire summer because he had plans with his friend. Well I said you better begin now with setting up dates for us to meet his parents. Because you cannot go until I've met them over a few weeks or months. You just don't know what people allow that you don't allow.
ReplyDelete