What age would you invite child's friend round for tea...

[Cupofteaonesugar]

Or offer to take them out for a McDonald's or something?
My 5 year old (going into year one) really wants to invite his friend round. I know his mum from the school drop offs and also we met up once during the holidays. She seems nice! But I don't know he all that well and I'm worried she might not be comfy or he's too young to come round without his mum so I'm abit worried about asking 🙈
Am I being over the top? Is it normal to ask them round at this age?
Sorry if this sounds ridiculous he's my eldest so this is my first time!

Yes normal. When DS was that age we were in the midst of covid, but start of reception (age 4) we had some friends round with their mums, and age 6 (year 2) had friends round without their parents - had vaguely known their parents from the sporadic school experience over the previous 2 years so think we’d sussed each other out by then.

Ah thank you!
So would you think I'd need to invite the mum too 😬😬😬😬😬😬

I think it’s normal - however it depends on the mum! I’d maybe make it an open conversation. Just like ‘oh Ben and Jake have been getting on really well, Ben keeps asking to invite him over! We’d be happy to have him for tea one evening - or if he’s not used to being left on his own we could maybe have a play date?’

That way if she’s a bit protective you’ve given her an ‘out’ of it being because he isn’t used to being left.

Have they been round to yours already? I think if you’ve met up in the holidays etc then just say ‘wondering if X would like to come round for a play?’ And she’ll probably just assume to drop him off. But gives her the opportunity to suggest she stays if she feels better that way. IE let her bring it up if she wants to 😄

My son started to have friends round for dinner from age 5.

Yes, normal! No, don't ask mum.

I tend to say 'my child wants yours to come to play one day. You're welcome to stay too if you want to/prefer.'
Cos it gives the option then.

Ahh thanks all, appreciate it!
I feel like she would be comfy him coming round alone but obviously I don't want to put her in an awkward position if she doesn't... although they are best friends and go to school together soooo...
I also wouldn't have a problem at all with her coming round but I just thought it might be more fun for them!

I’ve been having DD’s friends round for tea since age two. Around age 5, the mum stopped coming along for most children but some still preferred to bring mum.

Just invite the child and make it clear to the mum that she’s welcome to drop and go, or stay and have cake, whichever works better for them.

Normal, we'd had children here without mum/dad from about 4 but before that unless the child is very well known to you, i don't think it works well, they can look a bit like lost sheep.