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Your Child's Overnight Invitation
He's Ready, Are You? By Sharon Waldrop
"My son is diabetic, so it is rare that he spends nights elsewhere, but we have had many good experiences with other kids coming over," says Chip Ingersoll of Lorain, Ohio.
Colleen Faucher from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, has three children. The two oldest children, both boys, have been invited for sleepovers but she has declined to let either of them participate due to a hidden disability. Her oldest son also has Celiac disease. Having him spend the night elsewhere "would mean having to put trust into other people that may have no clue about the dietary restrictions that must be followed," Faucher says.
"I think that although the other parents may be well meaning in their intentions, I also feel that they are taking for granted that all kids may fall in the 'norm' as they perceive," she says.
A child who wets the bed doesn't necessarily need to decline an invitation to spend the night at a friend's house. Janet Blaweiss, a licensed professional counselor in Venice, Calif., believes that a straightforward approach is always best.
"I would say, 'My child is having a problem with bedwetting that is very embarrassing for him. We have worked together to come up with a solution. He has protection that works quite well, and he is able to handle this all by himself. There is no need for you to say or do anything. I just wanted you to be aware of the situation. I hope that you are comfortable with this,'" Blaweiss says.