Sleepovers.
Slumber parties.
Overnighters.
They seem like a fun rite of passage, a requisite of childhood, the stuff memories are made of.
But my kids will be doing none of them
I’m not the killer of all joy, though
Here are some ways my kids still get to participate in similarly fun opportunities:
Late-overs: If my kids are invited to a sleepover, depending on the hosting family, I likely will let them go for the evening and night. I’ll let them bring a sleeping bag and participate in the movie and popcorn, but when things wind down and “the party is over,” I’ll pick them up and have them sleep at home.
Family sleepovers: I have a few really great friends with kids similar ages to my own. Occasionally, we all spend the night at one or the other’s houses. The kids get their slumber party and the moms get some quality Grey’s Anatomy and wine-sipping time after the littles go to bed. It's a win-win.
Camp: Going to camp is still one of my fondest memories of my childhood. While this is technically an overnight experience, it's also supervised by trained staff with rules and structure. Researching a quality community or church camp with trustworthy counselors being held accountable for a small group of students is something I might feel comfortable with as my kids get older.
I realize that there will come a time when my kids are teenagers and my “no overnighters” rule might need to be changed — but, by that time, I hope my kids will know that if they don’t feel comfortable they can simply leave or call home and I pray that they have the strength to say no if some unsavory activity is suggested.
For now, they're still little and I can protect them from scary scenarios and stupid mistakes — and that's not an opportunity I'm going to miss.
