How Do You Handle Sleepovers?
Most kids love to have sleepovers. This week, we want to know what you think about them.
Moms Talk is a weekly feature on all Lehigh Valley Patches in which local parents, caregivers and other members of the community are invited to share opinions and advice on parenting topics.
This week’s Moms Talk question relates to sleepovers.
It can be an overnight stay with that “bestest” friend, a birthday party for a classmate or a camping trip with the scouts. It doesn’t matter in which form the question first pops up, ultimately it will be asked. -- “Can we have a sleepover?” -- If you’ve already crossed that bridge, please share your insights with those of us on this side. If you still haven’t had to tackle the sleepover issue but have a concrete plan for what you will say when the question is asked, we want to hear from you too. Only one gender allowed? A certain age requirement before sleepovers are allowed? Only at home? Only when you know the parent?
In short, here’s what we want to know:
How do you handle sleepovers?
Our Moms Council members include:
- Lisa Amey of Upper Milford Township is a stay-at-home mom to an 8-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl. A past president of the MOMS Club of Emmaus and longtime member of MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers), Lisa is an Independent Consultant for Arbonne International.
- Lisa Drew of Emmaus is a certified nutritionist and personal trainer, wellness and fitness coach with more than 17 years of experience. She is the mother of a 13-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy.
- Jennifer Elston of Emmaus has almost two decades of professional experience in child development and counseling. She is currently a stay-at-home mom to two beautiful girls. Together with her husband, Chris, she owns Christopher Elston Photography.
- Jeanne Lombardo of Nazareth is the mother of a 10-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl. She’s new to the Lehigh Valley, having moved to Nazareth from Bergen County, NJ in January.
- Lisa Merk of Lower Macungie is a stay-at-home mother of four boys – a 12-year-old and 6-year-old triplets. Lisa is a past president of the MOMS Club of Lower Macungie East. In her “spare” time, Lisa teaches piano to school-age children.
- Zoila Bonilla Paul of Bethlehem is a stay-at-home mom to two girls – a 5-year-old and a 14-month-old. Zoila is a member of her local “moms’ club” and says she is “well-versed in the fun that children can bring.”
- Beth Sharpless of Emmaus works part time in a local emergency department as a nurse and part time from home as a customer support specialist. She has two children -- a boy who is almost 2 and a 5-year-old girl. She says they love spending time outdoors and dancing.
If you would like to become a part of the Moms Council and/or have ideas for future Moms Talk questions, please email jennifer.marangos@patch.com.
Beth
5:21 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012
My daughter just turned 6, my son 2 1/2, so we have not had to explore much yet. I certainly think I need to know the parents before I'd allow it and they have to be older to allow it. Sure, my daughter says from time to time, "i want to have a sleepover", but I think it will be a while before it happens.
Lisa Merk
9:11 am on Monday, July 2, 2012
My kids have experienced sleepovers and for the most part I have always known the parents. Of course with my oldest there have been a handful of times where I didn't know the parents well, but I did speak to them beforehand. If for any reason I wasn't comfortable with the parents or home my child was going to sleepover, I wouldn't let them go - luckily that's hasn't happened - yet. I always welcome sleepover at my own home, it's a part of growing up and it's fun! Plus it helps me get to know that child better and lets me know who is playing with my kids.
Lisa Amey
3:39 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
I will only have my kids do sleepovers at someone's home if I know and trust the parents. Since my kids have allergies, it's always a consideration whether the family has pets or not, but that is not always prohibitive. Scheduling sleepovers at our house is a bit tricky, because we all know that there is not much actual sleeping going on, and everyone is tired and cranky the next day (including me), so I make sure the schedule is light or non-existent the next day. I'm not comfortable with my kids the age they are sleeping at an overnight camp yet.
L. Kuhns
5:03 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
My kids range from 4-19 yrs. old, so 'been there, done that and still doing that'. Sleepovers at my house definitely encouraged and call me a party pooper, but sleep WILL happen. Even with my teens, by midnight the TV and lights are off. Typically, sleep soon follows.
Sleepovers at others are scrutinized first before a decision is made. I'm amazed the amount of kids who have been dropped off at our house and the parent(s) pull away never having met me or spoken with me. Yikes!!!
Jennifer Elston
6:14 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
I don't mind having children sleep at my house. It's a great way to get to know your child's friends! I only allow my children to sleepover with parents I know very well. I also have to have been to the home to make sure it's safe and clean enough. When someone asks me about having my child sleepover and I don't know them, I just let them know we don't do sleepovers.