What age did your kids start going on sleep overs?

[Rockingchair88]

My 4.5 year old has been invited to a sleepover but I think he’s a little young. He’s so excited - but I feel like a meanie that I might say no.

Isn’t that too young?? Or is that a normal age? I don’t know the parents all that well, though we’ve had various play dates, but the kid is DC’s “best friend” (though they only met in September - school!).

OP who exactly has invited him for the sleepover?? Family or friends??

I think 5 or 6 - but very mature.

I think the key here is do you want to reciprocate. Personally I find sleepovers a pain - I don't need other peoples' kids seeing me at 6am in my pyjamas and I don't need a gaggle of 9 year-olds taking over the kitchen at 6am to (try and) make pancakes. I know know and respect a few parents that just don't do it.

"I now know a few parents that just don't do it" and I'm seriously thinking of joining them.

Thanks everyone - this is persuading me that my instinct is wrong that DS is too young. I had decided to say no, and this has made me feel better about my answer!

The kid is a friend, not family, and I don’t know his parents that well. I’m not up for reciprocating, either! I might be one of those parents who “just don’t do it” as well

DS has had sleepovers at his Granny’s house very happily since he was around two. Perhaps I’ll organise another to soften the blow of saying no to this sleepover...

One last question: how do I say no without offending the other parents? Shall I just say that DS isn’t ready, blah blah?

Bless him

Yes I would agree to young... I can me being the same.

If he is really upset what about joining in for the fun in the evening and then returning home instead of staying over

I am not a fan of sleepovers, hate the idea of 'strange' kids staying over. We have had a few sleepover parties down through the years, starting at age 10. No way would I get my DC sleep at someone else's house at age 4.5, what is the point of it anyway?

My dd has her first sleepover with friends when she was 6, friend lives three houses away so very easy if there were issues through the night. I didn’t have to reciprocate cause friend didn’t like sleepovers away from home

My son had first sleepover with a school friend age 8..
4 seems too young to me..

Dd is 7 and not been on a sleepover with family or friends. It's not come up and doesn't seem to be a thing with her school friends yet. She has ASD and likes her routine at home so I don't think she's bothered at the moment.

I also have a 5 yo and it would be a blanket no unless they were long term family friends. She's only just started short play dates without me. Sleepovers won't be happening for a couple of years.

Age 7 with a school friend. 4 is too young.

4.5 is very young to stay at a friends. Dd stayed with my parents from baby onwards but sleepover with friends was age 8 or 9 at least

this year! DD is in year 5, age 9. started sleepovers for their friends 10th birthday parties (shes one of the youngest in the year but will be her turn in june)

Age 7 with a school friend who’s parents I know very well.

Wouldn’t let her sleep over with a friend who’s parents I didn’t know very well.