Psychiatrist explains why parents should not opt for children to have sleepovers

In the earlier days, taking one’s favorite toy and pajamas and heading to one’s friend’s house for a sleepover was something most parents and children looked forward to. While it did bring a plethora of memories and even gave parents a night off, today the scenario is changing. In an earlier video dad and adolescent psychiatrist, Dr. Mitnaul shared 5 things he’d never do as a child and adolescent psychiatrist. One of the pointers that grabbed every parent’s attention was “No sleepovers.” With over 4k comments flooding the section and a majority of them questioning the “no sleepovers,” Dr. Mintnaul explained his reasons in a follow-up video. 

In his video, Dr. Mitnaul recollected the commenter’s wishes and said, “You guys made it very clear that you want to hear more about it so let’s talk.” The psychiatrist first clarified the idea of a sleepover that he was talking about. He said, “When I say sleepover, I mean the intentional kind of grouping of kids around the same age with the intent of having a great time.” He also added the regular activities a sleepover would hold such as eating candy, watching television and playing games till the “wee hours of the night.” The dad of 6 further mentioned, “This is different from your grandparents watching your children or cousins staying with their aunt and uncle.”

Dr. Mitnaul underlined the fact that the latter form of sleepover would ideally follow similar rules as those established by parents such as bedtime, dinner and so on. Coming to the reason why sleepovers with a bunch of kids around are not advised, Dr. Mitnaul revealed that it has a connection with child problems and complaints. He said, “Often the stories that come to us about trauma, exposures and inappropriate things are at the corners in the lives of kids.” Elaborating on the same, the psychiatrist said, “By corners, I mean the places where there’s less adult supervision.” Dr. Mitnaul was hinting towards the example of a sleepover where “kids do impulsive things without adult supervision.”

“There are things they wouldn’t otherwise do under the careful supervision of an adult,” Dr. Mitnaul continued. He further remarked that sleepovers are the “right opportunity” for kids to get into what’s weighing on their heads whether they intend to or not. Dr. Mitnaul added that he’d rather let kids bond with each other and have fun in “a situation and time that is most likely profitable for them and less likely to leave them in trauma which they’re going to be healing from for the rest of their lives.” He says that cases of trauma might arise when there is less adult supervision involved. While the video went viral, many parents failed to understand that the problem with sleepovers was the no supervision bit which could lead to impulsive actions or traumatizing experiences.

@2tx64 said, “Really? Some of the best memories I made were during slumber parties.” @austinwrites87 said, “Respectfully disagree. If I know and trust the parents, sleepovers are great bonding activities for children.” While many parents still believe that they had the best memories through sleepovers, others understood the point of view Dr. Mitnaul laid before them.  @misskayleighgrace said, “Sleepovers were part of my childhood and summers but it was also where I experienced trauma.” @viviankay13 said, “People in law enforcement, child safety and so on say the same thing. No sleepovers!”