When I was younger, especially as a teen, my parents rarely allowed friends to come over. I think it mostly had to do with the fact that they didn’t want to be bothered or deal with the noise. In all honesty I can relate. My kids are on spring break this week and of course they have all these plans for their friends to come over. Since I work from home, it seems almost logical that all the friends would come here. A part of me wants to say no. I still have work to do and frankly, I don’t feel like feeding extra kids or listening to the noise that my parents probably had in the back of their minds when they rarely allowed friends over.
Yet what I want and what I know is best are really two different things. I may not want the hassle that comes with it but in reality it is really for the best that my teen’s friends come here. Our house has always been the place for their friends to hang out. Sure, we have some cool things they can do like jump on the trampoline or hang out in the hot tub. But I think what they may consider an advantage to coming here is very different than the advantage that I see.
With preteens and teens, I feel like my eye needs to be on them a bit more. I am more aware of what is going on when their friends are here, I have more control over the situation and have been able to pick up on some insightful conversations. The fact that my children enjoy having their friends come over is an additional benefit. Despite how I may feel inside, I have always made their friends feel welcome. For some reason the thought of my teens spending six or seven hours at someone else’s house doing who knows what doesn’t sit well with me.
So although it can be a hassle and yes, it can be noisy, I would rather have their friends come over here. There are some definite advantages to opening your home up to your teen’s friends.
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