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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Sleepover - opinions pls

140 replies

Daisydoo23 · 20/01/2026 21:54

My DD has been asked to go to a theme park and stay over in a hotel with her friend for her birthday and her family (mom, stepdad, brother and sister plus friend) so they get 2 days at the park. A bit of context:

My DD (11) has been friends with a girl from school for around 12 months.
I have spoken to the girls mom around 5/6 times at the school, a handleful of texts.
DD has said previously that the friend cannot go downstairs until told to (which i think is strange).
Neither have been to each other's houses for the day in that time, let alone sleepover

I understand it's a nice gesture, but AIBU to think it's bold of the mom to ask for the overnight stay considering the above? I personally couldn't ask someone for permission for their child to stay over elsewhere considering they haven't even stayed at my home or even visited for the day?

I have said that DD can go for the day but I'm not happy for the overnight stay, I know nothing about them, haven't met the other children or stepdad. The mom said the stepdad would take the mom and siblings and come back for my DD with her friend, well I drive, so surely it would be easier for me to just take her myself?

But I just wanted others opinions really. Wwyd have done in this situation?

OP posts:
StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 22:22

Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:20

There's nothing stopping them from asking someone else to stay? I'd be picking DD up anyway on the evening

They aren't going to invite 2 people and swap around like that 🤣🤣

Ffs you sound so entitled

Be prepared for your daughter to be upset when her friend tells her she's not invited at all and she's taking someone who will do the whole thing (and whose mother doesn't think nearly 3 months is too little time to know the family)

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 21/01/2026 22:21

Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:20

There's nothing stopping them from asking someone else to stay? I'd be picking DD up anyway on the evening

But then they have an additional child to pay for and look after on the day.

bittertwisted · 21/01/2026 22:20

Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:15

Fair enough, but personally children don't always get what they want do they and that's life. I can't ignore my feelings because the child is upset

I agree
so the child can chose another friend
your feelings are respected and I’m sure your daughter would understand

Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:20

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 22:13

No - the whole birthday treat includes the sleepover part with a friend

She could have invited someone else if she knew you were going to pick and chose

There's nothing stopping them from asking someone else to stay? I'd be picking DD up anyway on the evening

OP posts:
StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 22:19

Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:18

Each to their own I guess then, imo it's not enough time for the sleepover part. Taking them out for the day fair enough

Because you seem quite uptight tbh

You just need to know the sleeping arrangements, have had a chat with them and spent some time with them if your worried

You aren't going to become besties with her mother first

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 22:18

Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:15

Fair enough, but personally children don't always get what they want do they and that's life. I can't ignore my feelings because the child is upset

But you could avoid the child being upset by not making decisions about her birthday to suit you

Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:18

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 22:12

Seriously?

What - you want their whole life story and to meet the extended family?

A few months between now and April is plenty of time to invite the girl for a few play dates and havea couple of coffee meetings with her mother

Each to their own I guess then, imo it's not enough time for the sleepover part. Taking them out for the day fair enough

OP posts:
LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 21/01/2026 22:15

Either decline it all or accept it all.

Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:15

bittertwisted · 21/01/2026 22:12

no
she wants a friend for the sleepover

Fair enough, but personally children don't always get what they want do they and that's life. I can't ignore my feelings because the child is upset

OP posts:
stichguru · 21/01/2026 22:14

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 22:13

No - the whole birthday treat includes the sleepover part with a friend

She could have invited someone else if she knew you were going to pick and chose

This too

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 22:13

Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:06

But surely you would rather the friend be able to attend for the day as its better than not attending at all? Also the 2nd day would be spent just with family

No - the whole birthday treat includes the sleepover part with a friend

She could have invited someone else if she knew you were going to pick and chose

stichguru · 21/01/2026 22:13

Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:06

But surely you would rather the friend be able to attend for the day as its better than not attending at all? Also the 2nd day would be spent just with family

It depends why they chose to sleep over, what their plan for the day is and how that will fit with having a child picked up part-way through. If they have partly done a sleepover to give themselves extra time to cope with unpredictable queues and the like, the having to make a place and time for one child to be picked up could totally add back in the thing they were trying to avoid with the sleepover.

Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:13

Thankyou all for your opinions :)

OP posts:
Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:12

BlueWellieSocks · 21/01/2026 21:37

Children turn 11 in year 6, so yes, plenty of 11 year olds in primary school.

OP, my decision would be based on the sleeping arrangements. All sharing together, then no. But I would be very apprehensive if I didn't know the family well.

Edited

Thankyou, I'm glad you can see why im apprehensive! X

OP posts:
bittertwisted · 21/01/2026 22:12

Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:06

But surely you would rather the friend be able to attend for the day as its better than not attending at all? Also the 2nd day would be spent just with family

no
she wants a friend for the sleepover

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 22:12

Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:03

I get what you're saying, but for me it would take longer than a few months to get to know someone properly which realistically will only be a few meetings between now and then

Seriously?

What - you want their whole life story and to meet the extended family?

A few months between now and April is plenty of time to invite the girl for a few play dates and havea couple of coffee meetings with her mother

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 22:10

Tulcan · 21/01/2026 21:55

What does this even mean? Where do children start secondary at ten?

I've obviously misunderstood, I assumed they were 11 turning 12

Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:06

bittertwisted · 21/01/2026 21:50

So obviously you would decline the entirety of the party

But surely you would rather the friend be able to attend for the day as its better than not attending at all? Also the 2nd day would be spent just with family

OP posts:
Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:04

stichguru · 21/01/2026 22:02

Of course if they are just turning 11

Thankyou, my DD has not long turned 11.

OP posts:
Daisydoo23 · 21/01/2026 22:03

Oriunda · 21/01/2026 21:26

If it’s the Lego hotel, the actual hotel stay is a big part of the fun.

What are the sleeping arrangements? If it’s in April, you have plenty of time to get to know the family, surely?

I get what you're saying, but for me it would take longer than a few months to get to know someone properly which realistically will only be a few meetings between now and then

OP posts:
stichguru · 21/01/2026 22:02

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 19:07

11 year olds still in primary?

Of course if they are just turning 11

stichguru · 21/01/2026 22:01

Yes very rude to say no to the sleep over only.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 21/01/2026 22:01

That’s not fair to have your daughter only go to part of it and not stay over. That completely changes the dynamic - the birthday girl now misses out on being with her friend in the hotel whilst her sister has one.
either agree to it all or decline it all and let them invite someone else.

Tulcan · 21/01/2026 21:57

I also think you should say no to the whole thing. I don’t think it’s fair to the other girl to just do a part of it.

Tulcan · 21/01/2026 21:55

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 21/01/2026 19:07

11 year olds still in primary?

What does this even mean? Where do children start secondary at ten?