Often after your child has revealed that he or she is gay, many parents start to question their child's relationship with their friends of the same sex. It can be difficult for parents to distinguish between friendships and relationships and what protocol should apply when it comes to sleepovers.
It is quite common for teens to have sleepovers with friends of the same sex, in the same way straight teenagers do. But how do parents apply these similar rules now their child has come out, especially if you allowed this to occur before they revealed they were gay?
It comes down to trust between you and your child but also being open with your child when it comes to your teen’s relationships. They have already taken the big step in revealing their sexuality to you; now you have to trust them that they will be honest with you when it comes to their relationships, including the romantic ones.
This of course doesn’t ignore the fact that your child is still a teenager who is still developing crushes and wants to explore their own sexuality. So when it comes to romantic relationships it is best to place rules surrounding dating. If you’re not comfortable with the idea of overnight stays when it comes to romantic partners, its best to say this from the get go.
You may be ok with your teen having a boyfriend or girlfriend staying over the night, but even if that is the case, it’s still important to have a conversation about their romantic relationships, as well as safe sex and STDs.
Men who have sex with men have a higher risk of contracting STDs than woman who have sex with women do, but whatever the gender of your child it is still important for you to ensure that your child remains protected.
Your LGB teen will have both have platonic and romantic relationships with their peers of the same gender. However as long as there is open communication between you and your child about their relationships, sleepovers should be hassle free.
