We have hit the stage in parenting where every child's birthday party invitation includes "It's a SLEEP OVER!" As an Activity Mummy I can appreciate the fun of a sleep over...however as a parent...well sleep overs aren't allowed. And this makes for a struggle.
Not that I fear my child will be molested. Or lost. Or any other bad thing. There are 3 plain reasons why my kids don't do sleep overs.
1) My prince (and the papa of my children) has strong opinions on sleep overs...and I respect his right to parent.
2) We both, he and I, have no interest in paying for somebody else's good night. Meaning: why deal with a tired, grumpy child on Sunday just because she stayed up until 2am Saturday night? (I'm sure we'll be dealing with that in the teen years soon enough)
3) I, myself, grew up not being allowed at sleep overs and thus...there's no missing what you didn't get (if you get that).
Around the 7 year old mark the sleep over invitations started rolling in...and it was a bit awkward. "um...yea...we don't do sleep overs..." In general, parents were a bit surprised but ok with it. It was the other kids that made it awkward.
They would come up to ME in the playground "But WHY can't she come for a sleep over?!" (this would test my sanity - because I really resent having my parental judgement being questioned by a 7 year old...especially a 7 year old that isn't related to me)
And the whole struggle with sleep overs is an outside-the-house struggle because Chez Moi we are all very comfortable with no-sleep overs.
Our kids don't nag, whine or question judgement about being left out of sleep overs. They know they can attend any birthday party they want (providing their room is clean). Take your pjs! Have fun! And we will come get you at 9pm and bring you home to sleep in your own bed.
Last week my oldest DD was invited to yet another sleep over. She came home saying the other invitees had decided that the first one asleep was going to get a 'L" marked on their forehead. "Are you interested in having to stay awake so you don't get a loser mark?" I asked her.
"No, I'm good to come home. We have to get up for Karate anyway" was her answer.
I like that she has the confidence to be apart from the crowd. And I'm glad, that as parents, we have the courage to do the same.
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