Tweens like to get together just like any other age group of kids. Make your home a place where your tween's friends want to come and hang out.
There aren't many choices of places that tweens can hang out together during their free time. They usually opt to go over each other's houses to play video games, play outside, or just sit around and have fun. I've always made it a point to be a place that my kid's friends wanted to be at so they feel like they have a place to go.
Feeding your tween's friends can be pricey, so one stipulation that I have regarding friends coming over is that they bring their own snacks. I'll supply the drinks. Instead of being a deterrent to coming over, it seems that the kids actually look forward to bringing something to share with each other.
I do limit the number of friends that can be over at once to about two or three. I don't want to have a daily party at my house. The only other requirement to kids coming over is that I am not responsible for chauffeuring them to and from their own houses. I will on occasion when it is convenient or some other reason, but I certainly do not want to be labeled as the one who does all the driving.
I'd sure like to hear how other parents deal with having their tween's friends over! Drop us a line in the discussion board. You will see "Start a New Discussion" towards the bottom of the page. Thanks!
