*First of all- let me clarify that this is a question we were asked. We’re not at all saying if you make a different decision in this matter, you are wrong. This is simply the position we chose to follow when our children were young.
A: In raising our kids we chose to be on the cautious side. I’m not sorry that we did. Now as the world seems to be on a slippery slide into depraved immorality, I think parents need to exercise even more caution to protect their children. That’s one of the functions of a parent! If we don’t do it, who will?
One of our jobs is to train our children to learn discernment. Discernment is learning how to distinguish right from wrong and using that sensitivity to make wise choices in life.
When our kids are young, we need to be the filter for them and make our decisions cautiously. We need to be careful not to put them in situations where they are faced with moral dilemmas and not have us there to guide them through.
Discernment is something that is taught and learned. It doesn’t come automatically, and certainly little children are trusting and vulnerable. God’s plan is for parents to be protectors. That is one of our functions. If we don’t do it, no one else will.
If one of their friends had a sleepover birthday party, we chose to let them attend the party, but we would pick them up before bedtime and bring them home. I had heard some real scary stuff that happened at sleepovers to kids of some of my friends, and I just wasn’t willing to take that chance.
We chose not to evaluate each individual situation as it occurred because if we said yes to one family, and no to another, it would cause hard feelings and the whole experience just wasn’t worth the conflict in relationships. Our kids just knew it was something our family didn’t participate in.
It’s wise as a mom and dad to think about some of these things before they happen and the pressure is on to make a decision. Take your time to evaluate issues and come to a decision you feel a peace about for your family. Remember James 1:5 ”  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
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What did you do about sleepover camps?
We didn’t have our kids go to sleep over camps. I would be fine with a family camp. If it were a local camp, I might see if I could pick them up at night and bring them back in the morning.
There is just so much to beware of these days.