you can't generalize about these things. every child is different, and
every parent has to decide what they feel comfortable allowing their
child to do. you seem like a reasonable person, just go with what you
feel is right.

If you kinda know the family or know others that know the family and
they have the same values as you do, then in my opinion it should be ok.
I think it's good for kids to try out a little freedom in a controlled
environment. I go out of my way to get to know my kids' friends and
their parents......my son has asked to go many places with people I
don't know or have so called "heard about" and I've said no. He's in
highschool. He now completely understands that if he keeps me in the
loop he is more likely to have more freedom!!!!
Good luck with your decision!!

:)

I have to say I don't think 11 is to young for a chaperoned co-ed party.
There are alot of valid points here. But my opinion is that the
forbidden fruit is always the sweetest and if you are to strict or to
overprotective then the child will rebell. Absolutely we are hearing
more and more about children becoming pregrant. And statistics show that
as well. However, there have always been babies having babies, ya just
weren't told about them on TV, the telephone, the radio, Jerry Springer
and ya get my point? It was a secret and most families hid it.

Definately protect your kids. Knowledge is power. Teach them. Talk to
them. And have the trust in them to know that you have raised them
right. Because if you don't they will rebel. I'm not saying let them
drink and smoke or have co-ed sleepovers at 11. But they need a certain
amount of freedom to chose right from wrong and they need to learn that
for every action there is a reaction, Good or bad its up to them. That
may sound kind of free but if you raise your kids to your beliefs then
shouldn't you be able to trust their judgments? 11 is kind of young but
like the others said. If you think 12 is to late then say ok you can go
but I will be there to pick you up at 9 or whatever time you are
comfortable.

Hi everybody, well my lil darling 12yr old had work release today for
ditching last week.. so I'm telling a friend about it. She says some
12yr old boy she knows got busted getting a blowjob in the classroom at
school!!!

catchme thats exactly why i am stickin with FORTY b4 he gets a
girlfriend!!!!

wow...12 year olds doing that...i guess it doesnt matter age limits on
partys then...they have a class room!

let's see...seventh grade...

personally, i was sneaking out, drinking, and getting high on a regular
basis. and all under the guise of "supervision"...so...

i would maybe volunteer to go with my child and help with the
party...that way i could personally see what was going on. if
everything went well, and the parents and i were on the same page, then
maybe next time i wouldn't have to go.

but i would STILL show up unannounced mid-party to check on things.

communication with your children is the most essential method for
combatting teen pregnancy. You can't over-protect or they will do
exactly what it is that you are protecting them from. If the will power
to do something is there, they will find a way. Best thing to do is talk
to your children and try to make them understand that for every action
they take there is a reaction or consequences of that action and let
them know exactly what those consequences consist of.

i remember when i was 11 and if my parents came into a party i was
attending i would TOTALLY freak out. thank god they never did. i think
that that is just a little embarrasing. i mean come on. if ur gonna pic
the kid up early, which also kinda ruins the fun, but is understandable,
then just wait outside. it is better not to come in, i would have felt
very weird if my mom or dad came into the party i was at....

why what were yo doing wrong

lol. haha very funny. well i wasnt exactly an ANGEL if u know wat i
mean...

maybe that is why they came early

lol

and i really did mean any thing bad about it

but i been hearing that a lot lately

if you have nothing to hide why should you care
about some political freedom statements

exactly; I am sorry beach babe, but as understandable as it is for
teens to be "embarrassed" about their parents, they should also feel
loved and comforted to know hteir parents care enough about htem to make
sure they are safe. How do you think you would have felt, if you ha had
say, a 14 year old who you thought was cute,t ake advantage of you at
the party because htere were no chaperones? This is all too common an
issue, with men (and women) aking advantage of a younger persons raging
hormones.
There is a reason people under a certain age are considered incapable of
choosing to have sex. It is because they are just coming into the
hormones and everything and are so excited that they literally do not
stop and think of consequences until it is too late (generally speaking)
So if a teenager would be embarrassd by his her parent showing up at the
party, then there is somethign wrong to begin with and it needs to be
addressed.

Our children go to co-ed schools, we teach them about boys and girls,
and sex, and when the time comes for them to exercise their social
skills we are going to send them to party with only boys or only girls?
My children have had co-ed parties ever since they are very little.

Granted a pool party that lasts 'till midnight for 11 yr olds is not
appropriate. That party should be held during the daytime. Someone can
get hurt and if there are not enough chaperones it could be messy. My
son is 13 and I drive him around and he won't go to a party unless I
know the parents and I am sure they are being watched.

Now, your son does not have to stay until the party is over, you can
tell him 10 pm, as long as you feel he will be safe.

JMHO

Co-ed at that age ok with COMPLETE supervision. My problem is with it
going on until midnight.

My youngest is 13, and still not allowed to go to parties, only daytime
group activities, and won't be until she is a few years older. Even her
brother didn't go on his first date til 17.