How to Make Friends Understand....

I do not think you are wrong. I woul dmake sure that if someone offers to watch your children to do 2 things. One meet at your house, let your children lead. Let them talk. Watch. Watch. Watch. Then I would ask to meet at their house. Again, watch watch watch. You know your kids. You know yourself. If you are feeling comfortable. Go for it. If you are not feeling comfortable, DO NOT. I explain to my friends that a lot of things. Most don't understand. I was/am a younger Mom. I have friends who are mostly older than me. Some don't have kids. They are great friends, but not able to see the difference in being overprotective and wanting to do what works in my life. There are things that I am not willig to do. I understand what you are going through, but I have learned through being called overprotective most of my 5 years as a Mom, to not rule out new options.

Your friends need to get over it. Things happen. Life happens. And you're a great mom who is being a smart parent. I would do the same if I were in your shoes.

You are NOT being overprotective you are being a good mom! Your single friends will find out what you are talking about when they have kids until then they will have to respect you.
I have friend who is always trying to get me to leave my kids with her mom and I refuse. I have no idea what and who they will be exposed to. You are the best person to decide what is acceptable and it sounds like you are acting in the best for your kids and are willing to put them ahead of your needs. Great job!

Your not wrong at all. I'm a single mom too and people have expected me to do the same. That's what bad mom's do. Bad mom's throw their kids on anyone and don't care who their kids are with, their kids aren't properly watched or cared for, have a tendancy to be molested or abused etc...

I HATE hiring sitters and try my absolute hardest to not need or use anyone to watch my daughter because I have trust issues. There are a handful of people I trust to watch my daughter like family, my best friend, a neighbor.

I would never leave my child like your friends are expecting you to do. Explain to them you and your children would never be comfortable in a situation like that regardless of how great your friend says this stranger is your children wouldn't be comfortable and you wouldn't beable to have a good time or relax yourself.

I completely agree with you, but I don't think single people could ever understand what a mother, especially a single mother, goes through when they are not with their kids. I've been told the same thing by my sisters that are not parents themselves. They don't understand. My advice is to just let it go. You are not going to convince them to see your side, and them trying to convince you will just get you and them upset. I hope this helps.

You are not being over protective. My kids, now 10 and 13, have never been left with anyone other than family. Follow your instincts, don't let others persuade you.

Until your friends have kids they may not be able to understand. You may have to bring it back to their non parenting terms. Ask them if they would leave their pet with anyone or if they would they leave their favorite black hot mama outfit at any dry cleaners? I bet they would say no! Right now in your friends lives, these are some of their most precious items; they would not leave those with just anyone/ anywhere.
They can be mad, they have that right. You have the right and responsibility to fiercely protect your children at all cost. Hot Saturday nights come and go- family and good friendships are forever!
Q.

Are you kidding me? You are 110% correct in feeling the way you do.
I don't know that you can make anyone without children understand anything parenting related, it is just beyond their comprehesion as it once was ours. Having children teaches a more permanent form of responsibility. I encourage you to listen to your intuition.
How much fun will you have if you are worry about your kids?

Single friends can always be talked into more good times when the timeing is better.You sound like a great mom. Good luck!

Since today is Thursday, you have a couple of days to visit with your friends sister. Find out things like if she has kids of her own, if she has ever watched other children, etc. I would want to go to her house and visit, just to do a mental observation of how she lives and where she lives. If you are still feeling strongly against it, then I would listen to my gut instincts and call it off.
Then, learn from this, and next time have a back up babysitter you are comfortable with. It may mean that you check out some local babysitting services, or post your own add for what you want to pay and do some interviews.

I would do the same. It's easy for people to say what's the big deal. BUT when it's your kids....it is a big deal. Her sister is probably a very nice person but you do not know that. You need to do what you feel is best.