Is 7 years too young for a sleepover party?

[Christmassaussage]

Just that really. My daughter is insisting on going to her friends 7th birthday party sleep over and I think it's too young. My son is 9 and hasn't been to one yet! What age do you think it's ok? TIA x

I remember going to sleepovers at that age and absolutely loved it. If there are any problems then she can go home but I absolutely think it's fine!

DD had a sleepover with her best friend when she was 6 and still has them a couple of times a year now she's aged 8. It's only ever been the two of them though and I'm in contact with the friend's parents to let them know what they're up to, when they (finally!) sleep etc, a party feels like a bigger deal. I wouldn't arrange a sleepover with anyone other than v close friends too.

I personally think it's fine. So long as you have the parents number and they have yours. I obviously wouldn't drink that night so you can collect your DD if anything goes wrong or she doesn't like being away.

It depends on your child.

DC1 only started doing sleepovers aged around 9-10yo. Had no interest before then.

DC2 was desperate to do them as early as possible, and had successful sleepovers from 7yo. I didn't have any issues with the sleepovers we hosted at that age.

Well I've just been on a 2 night Brownie Pack Holiday with 28 kids and approximately 8 of them are 7 so I'd say it's fine!

At our school there is definitely a thing amongst the girls of sleepovers but not the boys

He's 7/Yr2

I think things have changed since I was young. It's normal to have sleepovers at that age here. My two have been going to sleepovers since about 5/6. We hosted our first one for dd1's 7th birthday.

Sleepover with one or max two close friends, OK at this age, if the child feels comfortable with it. Sleepover party (several children), too young IMO.

DS's first was at 6.5, now he's 7 he's had about four. He went to a friend's birthday sleepover, there were 3 of them altogether.

His first night away from us he was 4.5 and camped in the school playground . He'll be going on the school residential in May, it's 3 nights away. He wasn't up for it last year.

It varies from child to child, so how does your dc feel?

Why would it be too young if she's keen? My eldest is almost 7 and wouldn't want to go, my youngest is 5 and will probably have a sleep over in the next year or so as she's just more confident sleeping away from us.

I don't see a problem if she's happy to go and obvs the host parents are ok with looking after them all!

I'd say it depends on the group dynamic. Dd has been on sleepovers since she was 5, either with one friend or with Rainbows etc. At 7 she went to her first party for her 'best friend's party. It was bf, Dd and 3 other girls Dd didn't know. The other girls were all older and were very mean to Dd the whole time. Dd asked the parents to come home early twice and the parents didnt contact me.

The upshot is friendship irretrievably destroyed, and Dd doesn't want to go to any more sleepovers

tinofbeans that sounds horrible, your poor dd.

I probably only feel happy about sleepovers because I know and trust the other families involved.

My 7yos are in y3, they have had sleepovers with family but I wouldn't let them go to party yet.

Too young to stay with strangers - in my opinion. (Although mine have done beavers and rainbows at that age).

Sleepover with one friend = fine

Sleepover party = too young

Depends on each child. If you know the family (ie your child is comfortable with them) and there are no potential problems (bed wetting etc. though of course that can be over one), should be fine.

Don’t relax, kick back and glug lots of wine though, a 10 pm “she wants to come home” call should be factored in 😁

@tinofbeans

How horrible for your DD. I can't believe the parents refused to contact you! At that age I thought it was accepted that any sleepover runs the risk of being aborted - I can't imagine not letting a DC of any age call their parents if they were upset.

Overcome, not over one

It's fine. Why would it be too young? I assume they won't be drinking or holding seances, or watching R-rated movies.

DD just turned 8 and she went to one last year. She enjoyed it

DD1 has a sleepover party for her 7th birthday. It was a great success. She had another for her 8th birthday.
However, all the girls are from the same class at school and get on well and had all been to play at our house before so knew DH and me.

GeorgeR

Depends. DD started going to and hosting sleepovers from 6 but she's been going away from me overnight for custody arrangements since she was 2 so dsnt care staying away. I won't have friends here aged 7 who don't routinely stay away from their parents as I can't drive and wouldn't wish to keep an upset child away from a parent overnight