World Time,
We have allowed our 4 children to have sleep overs. Some of their best memories are from these fun times. However, we DID have rules and because I work with children I can tell you many, many horror stories!!!
* If you have any doubt - say "no."
* We never let our children pressure us - any sleep overs had to be arranged ahead of time and never, never could our children ask us while the friend was standing there - that was an automatic "no."
* We had to know the parents and the child. Both had to meet our approval.
* Never could they go over if there was to be an older child or sitter. The parents HAD to be home.
* If the child had internet or tv in the bedroom - we said "no."
* Before any movies could be watched, they had to call home to get permission. When they were in grade school we made this rule known to the parent.
* We gave each of our children a lecture on "good touch" and "bad touch" before sleep overs.
* We gave each child a lecture on how to "stand alone" and do the right thing even when others were not doing what was right. Then asked them to call if ever they felt uncomfortable. If they called, we were to come right away and get any explainations in the car - not over the phone. Never did the child have to justify why they wanted to leave.
Hope it works out for your children.
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