This Mom Says Her Daughter Will Never Go To Another Sleepover, And The Reason Why Has The Internet IRATE

Parenting is challenging enough inside your own home, but it's a whole new ballgame when you start letting your kids spend time at other people's homes.

One mom, who goes by u/moooonstone on Reddit, recently shared a story about the last sleepover she will ever let her tween daughter attend in the r/Parenting subreddit. "My daughter went to a friend's house for a sleepover, and it will not ever be happening again. They are 11 years old," she wrote.

"She told me that there were security cameras in her friend's room, and when my daughter asked about it, she was told by her friend's parents that they were for 'security purposes,' but they were turned off. However, my daughter could tell they were still on because a light was on, so she placed a shirt over them. Then, a parent came into the room, removed the shirt, said nothing, and left. She’s smart as fuck and called me to come get her, but I feel absolutely disgusted right now and do not know what to do about this."

"She did not get changed in the room, but her friend did. The mom is a respected member of the community and is very involved in the school system. I’m trying to understand why they would possibly need TWO cameras in their 11-year-old's room, who is very well-behaved and not involved with drugs or sex."

"There could be a possible medical reason for the cameras, but even with that, when you have two other children in your care this is absolutely fucked up to me. My daughter felt like their house was a 'kidnapper's house,' and I have never been more proud of her for following her gut, but also terrified."

"I feel like I have a responsibility to do something about this and at least let the other mom know, but from past experiences, I know things like this are not easy, and a lot of people would rather just turn a blind eye. What the fuck do I do?"

In response to the post, many people said they would be incredibly upset and uncomfortable if their kids were in this situation. "I would have been five kinds of pissed. Kudos to her and her daughter for her ability and confidence in immediately knowing how to get out of that situation. I would be incredibly proud," user BanjosandBayous said.

"Sure, people can have security cameras in their home, but the fact that they lied about them being off and didn't make it explicitly clear to the kids that they shouldn't change their clothes in that room would have me livid," user melellebelle wrote.

"I would ask the parent about it. I might approach it like, 'My daughter was upset because the camera was clearly on, and she wasn't allowed to cover it. As a parent, I'm sure you can understand that this bothers me because my daughter could not have noticed the cameras and changed in sight of them. Obviously, that is a privacy concern, and I'm sure you would feel the same if the roles were reversed. I'm trying to understand why this situation happened. Can you help me understand?'

I'd honestly do it over text, so if she tries to say that you overreacted, you have the receipts, especially since you say she is well-known in the community. She might try to save face by throwing you under the bus, but I wouldn't be ok ignoring it."

"1. They lied. 2. They were watching in real-time. 3. They removed the blind spot in real-time. No offense to the people labeling this as 'weird,' but that's dangerously underselling how bad the situation is," user slymm pointed out.

"I'm a bit paranoid, but I always hear stories where the kids are abused, and the parents are well-known in the community and even work in childcare or child education," user keep_her_safe said.

"And the amount of perversion and pedophilia being uncovered today is alarming. Listen to your intuition and gut instincts. They lied to your daughter about them being turned off."

Many people commended her daughter for taking action, like user floss147. "She was brave to act on that. At that age, I wouldn't have had the courage. I would have ignored my fears and fretted all night and never returned. Good on her for actually getting her mum to save her."

And a majority of people encouraged the mother to pick up the phone immediately, like user pad1007. "I would confront the people who hosted and inform the other girl's parents."

"Report to CPS. If you confront the parents and then report, they have the opportunity to remove the camera or erase the footage," user dutchyardeen suggested.

"I'd get the other parents on a call. Make sure everyone is aware and in the same conversation. Prevents any information about the conversation being misconstrued or fabricated afterward," user SchpartyOn said.

And several people struggled to grapple with cameras in a child's room. "I would be ok with cameras inside if I knew I only armed them when I was out of the home. But having them on 24/7 while I’m home? Gross," user Trishlovesdolphins said.

"Yeah, while the cameras are definitely sketchy, the biggest issue is lying about them being off," user HomeschoolingDad said.

"Not telling the parents there are cameras, isn't that a legal requirement?? If there are cameras ANYWHERE in the house, people have a right to know," user SilverDoe26 said.

The original poster shared an update about what action she ended up taking. "I have spoken to the mom in question. She called and told me the camera was a monitor they've had for years, and it’s in their daughter’s room because it can be accessed through the garage. She said the camera is inactive and not used to watch anyone and that she didn’t even think about how it would come off to other people because it’s just always been there."

"She shared that this is the very first sleepover her daughter has had, and apologized for making my daughter feel uncomfortable. She said her husband works away a lot, so I understand all of the cameras for security. However, I still feel weird about the situation."

"The mom said she wishes my daughter had told her it made her uncomfortable so they could put her in a different room. I mentioned how my daughter did ask about the cameras, and even covered them up with a shirt, but said the mom came into the room and uncovered them. She denied this."

"However, she was very apologetic and respectful and was not defensive or dismissive. Given the information I have now, I am comfortable with the choices I made. But, if it were my daughter who had undressed in the room I would be making a different call. My daughter does not want to go over there again, and will not be."

What do you think? What would you have done if you received this kind of call from your child? Let us know in the comments.

Responses have been edited for length/clarity.