AIBU to not let DD go to sleepover?

[Kusstard]

DD (7) has been invited to a friend's birthday sleepover- haven't told her yet. I haven't let either child do a sleepover yet as a) they're still quite young and b) I have major issues handing their care over to relative strangers. She would love to do it but I am hideously uncomfortable at the thought of letting her. Stick to what I feel is best or give myself a slap and let her go?

[KarlosKKrinkelbeim]

You may never have seen a child become significantly distressed after a night with no sleep, llanali, but I have. Theyre all different. Might want to keep your eye out for that one - it's kind of important.

[addittothelist]

I wouldn't let my 7 yo stay overnight at the home of someone I didn't know.

Sounds nuts to me.

I was abused, but in my own home. I make no apologies for not just assuming that other people will take care of the most precious things on earth to me.

Have also worked in child protection so I'm not naive. Quite the opposite in fact.

[lynmilne65]

What unarsed said

[StickThatInYourPipe]

I loved sleepovers but I do think 7 is young if you don't know the parents. My first 'party' one was when I was about 10.

Had loads with my best mate before that though but our families have all been close from the beginning

[LinkPlease]

I think you've made the right call OP. Mine went on his first sleepover outwith the family aged 8 but I knew the parents well and he was only 5 minutes away. I still wouldn't let him stay with someone I didn't know, plus I think it's best to start off with just the 2 kids, a whole lot of them could be quite overwhelming for a 7 year old their parents must be insane.

[Christinayangstwistedsista]

What has your dd said about it?

[Miz10]

Yanbu I have never let my children go to sleepovers, you just don't know people and I would never entrust my children to someone's care when I can't be certain they would be looked after properly. I might sound really overprotective but I just couldn't relax not knowing the parents.

[BertrandRussell]

"I might sound really overprotective"

Yep.

[steff13]

It's a completely American thing.

Really? No one in the UK ever spent the night at a friend's house until they heard about it from us?

I think 7 is plenty old enough, if she wants to go.