To let her go on this sleepover?

[Sleepover1]

Dd is 6...7 in May...
A girl in DD’s class (one of her group of friends) is 8 next week and she is having a sleepover party (you know the ones with the hired teepees!) so dd has been invited.

I know the parents very well, I knew then before we had dc to be honest. It’s just a bit early in my mind for sleepovers (I mean she is 6!!) but she wants to go, she has been in sleepovers to family before etc etc. I just don’t know if it’s the right thing at the age of 6 and would I spend all night worrying??

I have tried suggestions that I collect her late so she can go but sleep at home but she wasn’t impressed...clearly defeats the purpose I know!!! But it was worth asking!!

Should I just let her go and get over it??!!

I have this exact situation except my child is 4! I refused. Didn’t feel comfortable.

At 6 we will do sleep overs with good friends (as opposed to school friends) kids but probably not just friends from school yet

Seeing as though you know the parents very well I assume that they and your DD are well acquainted too ? If so, I wouldn't be too worried in your situation. Let her go OP.

@crunchymum we are in Ireland where they can start at any age from 4... my dd was 4 starting and the other girl was 5 starting.

I would let her go, no problem. Your anxiety shouldn't affect her.

What is your worry? What are you worried will happen?

I think all that will happen if you don’t let her go is that she will feel left out and miss the excitement and her friends will bond over that shared experience without her.

My DD is 6 months younger than yours and I have gently changed the subject when she's asked about sleep overs so far. She cries and gets scared staying at my DM's let alone a friend's house. It's too early for her.

But if your DD wants to go and you know the parents I think definitely let her try it and as others have said - worst that can happen is you have to pick her up in the night.

That was one of the best bits of passing my driving test when I was younger as I could just head home during the night if I couldn't sleep or got upset. Still get it now at 40! I also try not to let my anxiety affect my DD.

I’m a beaver leader and we run sleepovers from 5 and 3/4. Some kids are ready and some aren’t. We don’t force a child who doesn’t want to go! Some parents are ready and some aren’t. We try and support parents who aren’t ready by letting them stay for a while, keeping in touch and encouraging them to let their children do it if they want to.

If she is ready and you aren’t maybe think about what you need to be in place so that she can go.

Thanks everyone I think she’ll have to go

In my experience of having 2 primary school DDs (10 and 7 now), I've been through all this. Most kids of 6 and 7 talk about sleepovers but wouldn't want to go through with it. My DDs have had sleepovers, with their cousins and with their Granny, but there weren't any sleepovers with friends until DD1's 9th birthday, when she had a sleepover party, but only one of her friends stayed in the end. The others, the DDs of my friend, stayed until bedtime and then went home.

FWIW, as the parents have been good friends, if it was me I'd say yes. Then, if your DD gets upset and wants to go home, the parents will let you know and you can collect her.

I would let her go but have a quiet word with the parents and say as she’s a bit younger than the other girls, to let you know and you’ll collect if needed. Also let your daughter know it’s ok if she changes her mind when she’s there.