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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that if you're having a sleepover for 6-8 yos...

52 replies

AnnieLobeseder · 02/10/2011 20:26

... that you should, at the very least

  1. make sure they get into their pjs and clean their teeth and

  2. come home with their toothbrush, toothpaste, and most importantly, very favourite stuffed animal that they can't sleep without?

Grrrrrrrrr!!!!

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 02/10/2011 20:28

I would expect a 6-8yo to be able to do that themselves to be honest..

SexualHarrassmentPandaPop · 02/10/2011 20:29

YABU. What's the point of brushing your teeth when you're gonna be eating sweets in bed?

Original poster
AnnieLobeseder · 02/10/2011 20:30

Yes, to actually do it themselves, but surely you don't rush them upstairs, close the door and let them get on with it with zero supervision?

And I don't think a 6yo can be fully accountable for making sure her suitcase is properly packed in the morning.

OP posts:
mummyosaurus · 02/10/2011 20:31

YABU I?d expect my 6 yo DD to put her own PJs on, collect up her own toothbrush and cuddly toy.
Have you ever hosted a sleep over? It?s mayhem.
Hope they all had a good time.

Original poster
AnnieLobeseder · 02/10/2011 20:31

Oddly enough, the toothbrush and toothpaste were stuffed through our letterbox when we got home (which was nice of them) but the animals were nowhere to be seen. Poor DD isn't happy going to bed.

OP posts:
Original poster
AnnieLobeseder · 02/10/2011 20:33

We had a similar sleepover (much the same guest list) 3 weeks ago, and I supervised bedtime - jammies, teeth etc. And then went through each child's suitcase with them in the morning to make sure they hadn't forgotten anything. Perhaps I overdid it, but at least all the children went home with all their belongings.

OP posts:
sparkle12mar08 · 02/10/2011 20:34

I'm with the others I'm afraid. A 6-8 yr old should be able to do all that themselves. Especially remembering the toy, really.

SocialButterfly · 02/10/2011 20:34

It's a sleepover! Their teeth won't drop out because they don't clean them for one night. The whole point of a sleepover is doing all the things you're not supposed to do, like stay up all night and eat sweets.

Bonsoir · 02/10/2011 20:34

My DD had a sleepover party recently for friends who were 6/7. They managed to unpack, undress, put their pyjamas on, clean their teeth, wash their hands and faces and moisturise all on their own, and dress and get ready in the morning and pack their suitcases entirely unsupervised. Of course!

MowlemB · 02/10/2011 20:34

I beg to differ. I think a 6 year old can be held accountable. I would expect my 7 year old to do this. And I expect my 4 year old to pack her own bags (school book bag, and then we have hobbies bags on a hook - the girls each have their own hook with their stuff in colour coded bags. Both are expected to get their bags for their relevant hobbies and to take what they need with them to school), and I just check them afterwards. If they forget anything, it's their fault - not mine and I won't bail them out. Needless to say, they don't forget much.

Its all in the training. Grin

LorelaisMommy · 02/10/2011 20:36

Having run sleepovers for Beaver Scouts of that age, and I'm talking 20 kids, I expect there to be a small pile of lost property at the end. Which is why I get Mums and Dads to check when they pick the kid up.
DD should have remembered her toys, however it should have been returned, and if she needs it that badly, you should have checked she had it when you picked her up.

Original poster
AnnieLobeseder · 02/10/2011 20:39

OK, so apparently I was BU. These parents are notoriously scatty and this was the final straw in a long list of annoyances (like them 'forgetting' to collect their DD from our sleepover) but I guess I will have to let this one go.

OP posts:
AbyIsl · 02/10/2011 20:40

I'd expect a 6 - 8 year old to pack their own toys, particularly those which are so important to them.

ZZZenAgain · 02/10/2011 20:40

did you get the stuffed animal back?

Alouiseg · 02/10/2011 20:42

I was too uptight to let my 6 year olds go on a sleepover. You were very reasonable just to let her go.

pictish · 02/10/2011 20:42

Here's a tip - don't let your kids take their favourite cuddle toys out with them. They stay in the house at all times....unless you go on holiday.

Think you are being a bit u.

Hulababy · 02/10/2011 20:42

TBH I'd expect them to be able to pack their own bags and sort themselves out at that age.

I would, and have, remind them to do teeth, etc before bed and in the morning. And when leaving I'd as them if they have remembered everything they came with.

Equally if I was the parent who was collecting I'd ask my own child before we left if they have remembered everything.

But I have had lots of sleepovers here and I can guarantee something is always left somehow. Last time it was one of the girls DS - parents came back later in the day after I had text them to let them know.

PattySimcox · 02/10/2011 20:42

I can't believe no-one has commented on Anna's group of 6/7yos moisturising? Really? Is that why the French always look so glam - they start early?

Marshy · 02/10/2011 20:43

Moisturise? Really?

LiegeAndLief · 02/10/2011 20:43

Hmm. I have a five year old (boy - does that make a difference?!) and I wouldn't expect him to remember his toys. Hope, yes, but going on past experience, definitely not expect. However, I would have checked that he had anything very precious with him when I picked him up, just as I do after school each day before sending him back in for lunchbox / jumper / water bottle etc etc.

I really hope he will be much more responsible by the time he's 6, but I'm prepared for him not to be...

I definitely wouldn't have been bothered about him not brushing his teeth for one night though.

Original poster
AnnieLobeseder · 02/10/2011 20:44

No, we've just got home after a long day out and found Yaya the Lion is missing. Luckily Big Lion and Furball are filling tonight but they're just not the same, apparently Sad. I tried calling the family but they're not in.

OP posts:
upahill · 02/10/2011 20:44

My kids are 15 and 11 and there mates sleep over most weekends.

The amount of stuff that gets left in our house is unbelievable! I could open a shop with it all.

I never made sure they got into PJ's and all the rest of it when they were younger. It was a case of 'come on lads, up to bed now' and let them get on with it!

Mind you they didn't bring favourite toys (except for psp's!!)

Original poster
AnnieLobeseder · 02/10/2011 20:45

And I would have asked her if she was sure she had everything when I picked her up, but DH did the collecting.

OP posts:
cat64 · 02/10/2011 20:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

SexualHarrassmentPandaPop · 02/10/2011 20:47

OP Why do you think that your childs friends parents should have checked your dd had everything but you don't think that you should have asked her when you picked her up?