It is none of your business really – everyone has their own parenting styles

So hard! I’m always, their house, their roles. However, anything that affects the safety of your child should be addressed.

Let’s just respect each others, we are all different so our parenting styles are going to be different… !

Your friends parenting style is her business, when you feel it negatively impacts your child you could discontinue sleepovers at her house

I probably wouldn’t involve myself in how she raises her kids (although I agree that a lot of this I wouldn’t be comfortable with). However, where it impacts on my kids’ safety, I’d have to. I suggest she request that the kids not be left without an adult if her child is there (send him home if the mum really has to go out and leave the kids alone) and ask her to police what they’re watching more closely – phrase it as being concerned for your childs’ anxiety. Some of the rest I’d just let go. A late night, or an activity without parental involvement, isn’t going to do your child much harm.

I remember being 12 and having some nights staying up late – we’ve all had those moments in life and those are usually the greatest memories we have to look back on. I think if its an issue you could explain your side and communicate

Not much you can say directly to her. Her kid her rules.. etc maybe when you talk to your child explain why you do things differently. Perhaps when your children want to play, you play at your house and you can explain to that child that at your house you do things under your rules. For example bed time restrictions.

I wouldn’t raise it with her, but I would limit sleepovers etc. That’s when I would let her know that you really don’t want them left at home alone etc.

I’ll be very worried about leaving my boys unsupervised and watching Netflix without parental guidance. Those shows that you mentioned are for adults and not suitable for kids. You need to talk with your friend about it as parents.

It’s a bit of a difficult situation. I dont think you can change anything. Their house, their parenting and their rules. She may think that you are too strict but thats the way your family operates. I always get that I am too strict as well, and as my children have grown up, I find that I get compared to so and so ‘s parenting and how cool they are that they allow their children to go here and do this by themselves. I tell my kids that whatever I do it is always from pure love and concern.

You cant. We are all different and we all raise our children in different ways.
I agree with your friend that sleep overs are special and kids should be allowed to stay up later and do things that normally they wouldnt. I think you just have to understand that your son is going to be exhausted when he gets home and make sure that he is allowed to rest. The only other thing you can do is ban him from staying at his friends which you know is going to put you in his bad books.
Obviously you are happy with the way you are raising your children and you are doing your best which is most likely exactly what your friend thinks and feels about herself. So imagine if your friend pulled you aside and said “Look, I dont want to upset you but I need to address the fact that you are coddling your son. you dont give him enough freedom and you are proving that you dont trust him by taking his phone away from him at bedtime. You are telling him that he is not mature enough to self monitor and I think thats sad” …. If she said that to you even if it was coming from a place of true caring…..how would you feel? If you value your friendship then leave it be. We are all different.

Unfortunately you can’t change another person’s parenting style and they have the right to do what they feel and want. Perhaps you need to consider if this is the right kind of friendship for you and your family? Set some boundaries and only see her when you feel the situation can be controlled a bit more. It’s important to surround yourself with like minded people who have similar styles and values.

No parent will parent the same as another. Whilst I dont agree with a few things this mother does, who am ai do judge. Im not perfect. I suggest just trying to stay out of it and set some nice examples for this other child to see.

Have your child’s freind stay at your place more often so he can see how other families live
If your child’s freind don’t like your rules that alone will create space between them

You can’t tell someone else how to parent their own kids. If you are worried about your son being left on his own maybe casually just check in with her if she’s going to be there as you don’t feel he’s ready to be left without supervision or if you’re really not happy with her rules then only allow sleepovers at your home until you feel your son is old enough…

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 23 Apr 2023 , 7:21 am

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  I agree; take control of the situation and set boundaries.

Nothing you can do unfortunately except limit the time he spends there.

There is nothing you can do about someone else’s parenting style. The only control you have is over your parenting style with your child in your household.

Respect her style, but when you don’t agree and have concerns about how it impacts your child, then you should simply discontinue sleepovers

Allow sleepovers only at your house if you are that worried.

Her style is her style. It impacts on you when you let your son stay over so don’t.