Mom explains why she does not allow her children to go on sleepovers, sparks debate

Editor's note: This article was originally published on February 18, 2023. It has since been updated.

Parenting is one of the most challenging jobs anyone could ever have. While raising children, you take several decisions for their well-being and set boundaries until they grow old enough to handle life on their own. Every parent has different ways to raise their kids. Sometimes other people tend to intervene and talk about what's right and wrong in parenting. T. C. Huck is among those who responded to these comments made by people on the internet about her parenting decisions.

Huck is quite clear about the boundaries she has established for her children. According to her, safety comes first and that includes sleepovers. In 2021, several people on social media started attacking her for not letting her kids go on sleepovers, so she made another TikTok video explaining the reason behind it. She starts the video by saying, "The absolute hate that I have gotten over my parenting video." She added, "Sending me nasty messages. I mean, wishing death upon me. All because I don’t allow sleepovers. Like, I’m gonna let that sit for just one second. All because I don’t let my kids have sleepovers."

She said, "Now. Did I ever say that they don’t go to friends’ houses? Nope." She added, "All I said was sleepovers. So kids go to friends’ houses – trusted friends’ houses, people that I know, the parents are home. And the only thing is that I pick them up for showers and bedtime." Huck continued, "You don’t know what’s going to happen. And it has nothing to do with me trusting my kids. It has nothing to do with me not wanting my kids to have fun. It has nothing to do with anything besides the fact that you cannot be positive that something won’t happen to your children at somebody else’s house."

"Even if you trust those people, they could have older siblings, sorry. Parents’ friends staying over, other people, there are a million other factors. There’s too many other factors that I’m not willing to risk my children’s safety for them to have a sleepover," she said. "I mean, y’all really came for me, if you ever have some time and you just want to like pass a couple of hours at work, go read the comments on that parenting video. I assure you people ‘love’ me right now. But I said what I said. I stick by what I said. I also never say never."

The video resonated with many people who think setting these boundaries is absolutely right. TikTok user @monramirez05 commented, "I completely agree. I work for the court system and the amount of things I’ve seen throughout the years is horrible. My kids will sleep safe at home." Another person @mowings1 said, "From a victim of childhood sexual abuse, I applaud you for being cautious and responsible for your babies!" 

@legendaryjamie commented, "What I don't understand is why is it so triggering to other people on how you choose to raise your children?" Every parent has a different parenting style in order to ensure the safety of their children and it should not be questioned until it is actually a threat to the child. Going to sleepovers or not, a parent is always well within their rights to establish healthy boundaries.