Sleepovers

[Whowhatwherewhenwhy1]

At what age did you allow your children to go for sleepovers at their friend’s homes? What were the criteria you used? Was it the same for your kids whether they were girls or boys?

DD was about 10 when she started going to them. No criteria and not sure why you’d need any, as long as it’s a close friend with parents that you’ve met and trust then I don’t see any issue. She always knew that if she was unhappy for any reason and wanted to come home then I’d come and pick her up at any time.

DD’s best friend’s mum + dad had a very serious policy of only allowing their daughter to sleep over at friends houses with fathers who had ‘good’ jobs - i.e doctors, surgeons, pilots and solicitors. Apparently having a bog standard job makes you a risk to their daughter. Absolutely bizarre!!!

Good luck with criteria... . Life doesnt correspond to a work project, such a strange concept to apply here. Child old enough and competent enough to be able to call if needed, parents and child you know sufficently well to trust. Variables that are not fixed but reflect the individual circumstances.

DD had her first sleepover at her friends house when she was 7 and I allowed this as friend lived at the other end of our street. Had this friend lived at the other end of town I'd not have felt so comfortable at such a young age.
DD started going to other sleepovers that weren't in our street when she was 10.
DD is now 12 and when she goes to friends houses I always ask that she texts me before she goes to sleep and I ask if she's ok/having fun reminding her I'll pick her up if she wants to be collected.

I’ve always had the kids start having sleepovers when they get to juniors I think it’s reasonable and then they could get used to it before everyone goes sleepover mad!