Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Tipee sleepover party - in September

36 replies

Hellokitty82 · 30/07/2020 10:18

Just posting for opinions here!

My daughter is 4 (nearly 5) and her little friend (one of the eldest in the year) is 5 in September and her mum has booked a company to install some party tipees for a sleepover for 7 friends and the birthday girl.

I've Discussed this with my partner and our daughter has never ever slept anywhere other than at home or with grandma when I was in hospital having her brother and then there's the whole covid situation and potentially using bedding/cushions accessories hired out all over the place and sleeping in close proximity to others too. We're very uncomfortable with this.

I don't want to fall out with the other mummy she's obviously gone to a huge amount of effort and thought to make it nice for her daughter but I just don't think it's appropriate for 5 year olds or during a pandemic, what do other people think?

OP posts:
Shoppingwithmother · 30/07/2020 10:22

Regardless of pandemic, I think 4 and 5 years old is ridiculously young for a sleepover party - especially with so many of them. Personally I would just politely decline the invitation.

AriettyHomily · 30/07/2020 10:26

pandemic or not I wouldn't have sent mine to a sleepover at that age! I can't imagine anyone in DTs class doing so either!

it was all class church hall parties at that age!

switswoo81 · 30/07/2020 10:30

Not a chance. I have a 5 yo DD and while I wouldnt mind her staying late or wearing PJ's she would be coming home to sleep. I know i would be called out at 3 in the morning to collect her.

Have taught this age group for years and have never heard of a sleepover at that age.

Ickabog · 30/07/2020 10:37

Forget the pandemic, the type of party is totally unsuitable for 4 / 5 year olds. I've taken Brownies on camp before who haven't been comfortable with sleeping away from home, and they're 7+

Original poster
Hellokitty82 · 30/07/2020 10:50

I'm pleased I'm not over reacting on this I think it's far too young aswell!

The mum hosting has 2 older girls so maybe is forgetting age appropriateness perhaps but I thought it seemed odd for 5 year olds but dd is my first so not really 100% on these things 🤦🏻‍♀️

I also do think it's not overly hygienic sharing cushions and bedding that's been hired out either I think that could be a bit of an issue. I mean how do people know it's all be thoroughly washed etc??? Half these fancy sequinned cushions etc are "sponge wipe clean" anyway not proper washing.

My cousins wife is a nurse and she thinks sleepovers are a really bad idea at the moment.

I'm going to decline

OP posts:
FinallyRelief · 30/07/2020 10:54

Way too young for a party like this! At 5 it was the all class soft play - church hall etc with an entertainer - sleepovers generally happen from juniors here so year 3 onwards

Crazycakelady17 · 30/07/2020 10:54

4 and 5 year olds no way my dds age 10 yes!

Original poster
Hellokitty82 · 30/07/2020 11:38

So even if she was older, say 10/11
Would people have concerns about a sleepover during a pandemic???

I'm slightly surprised that these tipee companies are still operating to be honest or is that me being a bit covid paranoid??

OP posts:
FinallyRelief · 04/08/2020 17:42

I suppose it's not their risk is it - they make sure everything is cleaned / washed etc and set it up they're not to dictate if it's a family or a group of people who sleep on the beds!

Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches · 04/08/2020 17:44

Far too young!

I was thinking of doing that for my dds 12th!

Socialdistancing · 04/08/2020 17:45

No way at that age
It’s not within the covid guidelines to have that many people from different households sleeping over but I wouldn’t have any more hygiene concerns than usual-the virus doesn’t last that long on fabrics anyway.

labyrinthloafer · 04/08/2020 17:48

I always steered clear of sleepovers before secondary, some parents are total plonkers but you'd never know from the playground.

Cub camp fair enough as they have standards, other parents are completely random.

Wouldnt book anything like this now due to pandemic, risk of cancellation.

5 is v young anyway imo.

afternoon22 · 04/08/2020 17:49

Just decline, because of the pandemic, no need to think much further. For what it's worth I don't think its appropriate- being blunt there is the danger of a five year old away from family for the first time being sick with worry or bedwetting.

SmallPinkBear · 04/08/2020 17:58

My daughter is nearly 5 and only just had her first play date without me being there too, there is absolutely no way I would let her go to a sleepover irrelevant of the pandemic.

Levatrice · 04/08/2020 18:01

Far too young I doubt anyone will rsvp a yes! I’m reluctantly letting my 9yo go her first sleepover soon! Can’t see it ending well. It’s too young I wish parents wouldn’t start this stuff at silly ages

OohKittens · 04/08/2020 18:01

My daughter is 10 and has never stayed out. She was supposed to go on her first school residential in March but it was cancelled and she was so relieved when I told her. Honestly I think she is too young.

Lindy2 · 04/08/2020 18:05

There's no way the vast majority of children of that age will sleep or enjoy a sleepover.

Also, there's a global pandemic on. Not in a million years would my children be going to a sleepover party right now.

I think you need to arrange an outdoor, daytime activity where social distancing can be observed.

BlackberrySky · 04/08/2020 18:11

Five is too young for this type of party. Doubtless with older sisters around the little girl is probably asking to have it, and it's really hard to keep telling the youngest they can't have the things their older siblings are having. But in this case, I think the mum should have arranged a different party regardless of a pandemic. But it isn't even allowed at the moment anyway, so it seems a bit crazy to arrange it on all fronts! I would just decline on pandemic grounds.

Freddiefox · 04/08/2020 18:14

So even if she was older, say 10/11
Would people have concerns about a sleepover during a pandemic???

Hes I would be concerned, dc has a sleepover planned for April, which was cancelled. I have no plans to reorganising anytime soon

Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches · 04/08/2020 19:19

Just thought about it - some of them won’t even by dry at night!

Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches · 04/08/2020 19:20

I would be concerned about older ones in the pandemic yes. Hopefully be better in the not too distant future.

OldFloweryCardigan · 04/08/2020 19:26

My daughter's first sleepover was age 7 and that was a big deal. I think 5 will feel too young for many.
Plus the nights are pretty cold by September.
Then add in the pandemic - it would be a no from me.
Drop her off for a few hours and pick her up at 9 or 10pm or whenever feels appropriate.

HelloDulling · 04/08/2020 19:31

Much much too young, and group sleepovers always end badly, even aged 8+. One friend to stay the night is plenty/bad enough.

My 14 yr old DD is not allowed sleepovers at the moment, when the advice changes, we may relent.

Itsjustabitofbanter · 04/08/2020 19:35

Not in hells chance would any of my children have coped with a sleepover at 4. They’re barely more than babies at that age! There’ll be a lot more years and tantrums than enjoyment. What is the host thinking?

lyralalala · 04/08/2020 19:37

For me that's too young for a non-family sleepover, and mine slept over at Grandparents and with cousins from young ages.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread