Average age to start ‘sleepovers’

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I wasn’t the sleepover kind of kid. I’ve always liked my own space and surroundings else I panic, on the rare time I did try a sleepover at a friends I’d cry to come home.

anyway, DD is 7, 8 later in the summer. She’s never spent the night away from us, not even with grandparents.

she has s friend of the same age and they want to start sleepovers and her mum keeps mentioning it.

I feel 7 is too young still? Or am I just being reserved about it because of my own issues with sleepovers as a kid?

they live nearby, so if she did go and get upset I’d go get her without a problem.

I also don’t think I’ll be able to hold sleepovers here easily. I have a pre teen with Sen and complex needs and don’t think he’d manage someone else being in the house. I’d have to get him to stay at my mothers or something (something he’s done before and enjoyed but dd has never stayed there!).

what age do sleepovers become a thing? For a mum who hated them and everything about it 😂

From memory, 6ish. I'm not a big fan but it was a bit of a thing amongst his school friends at that time.

Oh gosh, maybe we are a bit late then haha. Thank you! Maybe I just need to be brave and let it happen!

I’d say that there is no set age, it depends on your child’s maturity.

Do they understand about consent over their own body? Do you think they are strong enough to say no if it’s suggested they do something that makes them uncomfortable? Do they have access to their own phone during the sleepovers or would you rely on the other parents contacting you if your DD wants to go home?

It may not be popular, but I kept mine from sleepovers until they were at High School. That way if, heaven forbid, some adult or older child tries to behave in an inappropriate/illegal way they should be more capable to deal with it/inform.

I never wanted my children to have the horrific experience that I did.

Every situation is different. Every child is different. But 7 (IMO) s fine for friends sleep overs.

Try not to put your feelings on your DD. Tell the other Mum you're happy to pick her up if she asks. No need to put it into DD's head that she might not have fun!

Also, make sure the other Mum understands you can't reciprocate because if your DS not coping. It wouldn't bother me in the slightest, nor anyone I know IRL, but it would bother a few on here & I think they're mostly real people too.

maybe offer to do something for them/with them that you're able to do taking DS into consideration.

DD1 was 6yo. The child was an only child and desperate for a sleepover. They had tea together, watched high school musical which went into about a 5 year obsession and slept all night. I remember the mum being almost apologetic asking because she wasn't sure if we'd think dd1 was too young. Mum was a GP which kind of helped with any worries.
Dd2 was about 8yo, when a couple of her friends started having sleepovers as their parties.
I think ds has done a sleepover once, when he was about year 6 or maybe even secondary. He's not particularly keen on being away from his room and never has been.