Before you pack your child’s bags for his first sleepover, think twice about your own comfort level and what potential problems might arise during the evening. This new event is not just a transition for kids, but for parents, too, says parenting coach Dana Parkoff, a Dallas mom of five. “Sleepovers can be an important rite of passage for some kids, but they’re not for every child,” says Parkoff. “Some kids simply don’t like sleeping over at other kids’ houses and vice versa—this doesn’t mean that your kid isn’t developing socially.”
For the kids who jump at a sleepover opportunity, Parkoff says parents should first consider their own comfort with the situation. “Ask yourself how well you know the other family,” suggests Parkoff. “And don’t be afraid to ask the other parents questions, like what movies are OK in their house, where the family keeps their computer, etc.”
If you trust the other family, then go for it—but not before letting your child know it’s OK to call home, no matter the time. “It’s important to also tell them that, if they do come home, they’re not banished from ever having [or going to] a slumber party again,” Parkoff adds.
In addition to building friendships, slumber parties can help establish a strong sense of self in kids. Shares Parkoff, “When kids sleep over at another family’s home, they learn that not all families are the same, a very valuable lesson in today’s world.”
