Should You Let Your Kids Stay at Someone's Home If You Don't Know the Family?

I think it depends on a lot of things. For example my oldest daughter is 8. She knows our phone#, she knows right from wrong and etc. I would at least talk to the parents on the phone and go with her inside when I drop her off to meet them. But you can't keep you child from everything. Just make sure they know what to do in lots of different situations, and use you instinct and best judgement. If the child is younger it may be a different story. I wouldn't let my 4 year old go stay somewhere by her self without knowing the parents a little more. You child has to experience all different types of evironments, it is good for them. Just make sure to discuss what they did and ask lots of questions when they get back. But that is just my opinion. I am a young parent. I try to keep an open relationship with my kids so that they don't rebel like I once did.

Some of my friends let their children stays their classmates home. However, the parents themselves will asked the permission and inform the invitation. My son is a very shy person who normally do not willing to stay over. However, my sister said it is good for them as it is a good exposure and to be independent. I still think that unless you know the family well, then it is a 'YES'. Nowadays, all kinds of people living in this world. It is better to be 'cautious than sorry!

No parents I know would ever allow such a practice. In my community a reputable parent would contact the other parents first and arrange a meeting in advance before allowing the child to hand out invitations. They would ask the parent's permission first. Is he staying overnight? Are other children also invited? I have never heard of inviting a child without inviting the parent first.

Hi, getbrowser, I haven't got any children but if it was my child, no I wouldn't or I would go visit the parents first and discuss it with them then if I don't think that is ok then I wouldn't let my child go, for a start the parents should have come to you first before inviting your child over to stay, you just cannot trut anybody this day and age. Tamara

my kids are still young, they're still on their kindergarten that is why i still haven't experience this. but when i was in high school, i slept often in my friend's house because we have some party or get together in their house together with some of our friends too. my mother at that time haven't meet the parents of my friend but still they allow me because they know the attitude and they know who my friends are.

I have yet to let my 7 year old girl spend the night anywhere except at a close relatives house. Even if she came home with an invite I wouldn't let her go without me knowing the family very well. Not just a one time talk on the phone either. It's hard to know who you can and cannot trust, and I am not about to start taking chances. I know it hurts her feelings some, but I tend to find a way to take her mind off of it by doing a family activity or hitting the movies. I don't want her to miss out on stuff, but I don't want her hurt either.

Personally in this day and age depending on where you live, there does stem some cause for concern as you never really know people until you know them, and that can either be Good or Bad in the end. But to personally want to do a background check unless you really suspect something, may be one of the worst things for sure. What I would do, is take time to get to know the child and then watch some of this actions, etc. and then decide from there which is best for the son as well.

Hello, If my child received such an invitation from someone that I never before then I will ask the parents whether I can go with my child or not... and if the parents say NO then I will cancel this weekend as well. I will let my child be with someone that I barely know. And if your friend feel uncomfortable about this then dont let her child go cuz nothing is more important than her child safety. Good luck and hope she finds the way out

no i wont. since i am the only one working and my wife is a stay at home mom. she is hands on so i know that she will not do this also. if ever she wants to go out she will go out with our son. puts him in his stroller and go out. but since your discussion is about classmates, why not go eith the child for atleast you know where this people lives. ask the teacher for more info about the family. but for me the important thing is where do this family live. is the area safe? there is nothing bad on checking if it is ok or not. careful parents thats what we are.

I will allow my son to have a visit but he'll return home the same day. Not to stay till weekends. Even my children, when they were younger, I don't let them sleep at their relatives houses, as I would be more worried thinking of them.

Gosh does no one trust another person nowadays? I know you hear a lot of bad things happening but there are a lot more good people out there than bad. Why not telephone the boys classmates Mum and have a chat on the phone and tell her you are of course a little nervous. Use your own feelings to know if you feel happy about the conversation you have had. Or go around and meet the mum or even when you take your son there stay a while and have a chat. If you are still a little nervous let your son go over but not stay too long until you have got to know the people. But dont say no without getting to know the family as this could make your son hesitate in making friends in his class. It is right to protect your child but not everyone is a danger to him.

No way! I will not let my kids stay in a stranger's house.

i dont know what to say, but there were times my kids get invites from friends and other people to stay overnight but my wife refuses saying that our kids will get exposed to possible culture shock.

Um, NO. My son is 5 and he will not be going alone to the home of people I don't know...well......as long as I can possibly control that! Anyone who's honest and has nothing to hide should have no problem with you visiting with your child the first time. If they do, then I don't think the kids should visit each other's houses. I'm not real sure I would want a kid to visit MY house whose parents I did not know......

Hello, well... If my child receive such an invitation then I will ask the parents whether I can go or not, if not and I am not familiar with the family then I will not let my child go. How old is the child? if he/she is about 10 or so then you should know who he/she makes friend with. If the family have nothing to hide then they will approve to let the parents join. Hope your friend find the way

It is a normal part of growing up. When my girls got invites to stay at friends homes, I would call the parents and verify the invitation over the phone and ask a few key questions such as what the kids would be doing, making sure that they would be home etc. Then I would go up to the door when dropping them off. I would leave my phone number. Also, my daughter's always knew they could call me if things didn't work out and I'd pick them up. One night is probably not going to have a lasting bad effect on the child even if they have a horrible time. I always asked my girls how things went when I picked them up. 9 to 10 all was fine. There were a couple of houses that I did not allow my girls to stay at but the girls were allowed to stay here. It was rare that I did not approve of their friends homes...very rare.

I don't think i would - my daughter is only 2 1/2 years old so I have a few years left before this happens but I am pretty sure that I would want to at least meet the parents before I let my daughter stay over at a friends house.

I would always meet the parents and ask about the rules of the house, these days never take anything for granted, there is just to much that goes on which can cause your child trouble.

Hi getbrowser My son used to stay in his friend's house often as he will be alone in his house when his parents will go to their native's house. That friend's close friends including my son used to go to their house and give him company and the next morning come back home. Though i have not seen his parents and don't know their background, since this boy is very much disciplined,good natured and decent, I thought his family and parents will be good only and don't object when he goes to their house to stay.

I would not allow them to. In order for my children to be able to spend the night anywhere I had to meet the parents, both of them. Then I needed to find out some basic information about them - where they work, are they from this area, etc.... I still never liked it and discouraged it when possible. I preferred they stay at my house. I always cooperated when other children's parents wanted to meet us. There are just so many unknowns out there - but occasionally I had to give in and let them go. I just always reminded them that all they had to do was call and I would be there to pick them up. Fortunately they go through child hood without any mishaps.