To think that if you invite someone over for a 'sleepover' you give them a mattress, some cushions or a lilo to sleep on?

[whippet]

And not just show them the floor

DS was invited to a friend's house for a sleepover last night. Came back today grumpy and tearful, and it turns out he and the other boy who'd been invited were both told they could put their sleeping bags on the floor of the invitee's bedroom to sleep.
(Child whose house it was slept in his own bed)

He says he was cold, and the floor was hard, and he didn't sleep at all .

He's 9, and not new to sleepovers. But if we have his friends over I aways make sure they have either a futon mattress, a lilo, or at worst, the sofa cushions to sleep on.
I assumed this was the norm?

I'm a bit annoyed that the mum didn't even mention it - I could have easily given him a lilo to take!

I remember sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag.

hated it.

Why would I put another child through that?

I put down the futon mattress for guest kids, or if that isn't possible, at least a spare duvet under them. My own two sometimes like to sleep on the floor though so maybe the host mum's dcs do that and she thinks all kids do?

Strange... I'm still not 'getting' the "excitement and adventure of a sleepover" where a child is cold, miserable, uncomfortable, lying awake for 8+ hours

And I don't see my son as a 'wuss' thanks. When he camps (which he does quite happily) they have foam camping mats which provide a layer of sponginess.

If some kids like it, fine, clearly my son doesn't. I just think it's quite rude to not offer, or make some attempt, to make a guest as comfortable as possible. As someone said, it's not rocket science...

I also don't see the adventure in sleeping on a hard floor. If my dd or ds liked it then fair enough but I wouldn't presume that anyone else enjoys it!

(As a teenager and since then I have indeed slept on the floor and been okay with it, have always found it uncomfy though! Last time was a couple of years ago and kept waking up to find kittens curled up on my face/leg/under arm, etc)

Whippet - I too appreciate a good night's sleep, haven't had one for months thanks to my darling 5 month old ds and am struggling!

What if they had nothing else to offer?

I usually take a thin mattress & sleeping bag with, rather than assume the other parents have everything.

If my child was going to the sleepover, I would usually ask the host parent if they need dc to bring a readybed/lilo etc.

If I was hosting, I'd provide option of bringing readybed, top & tailing with my dc, or both sleeping in playroom which has stacker beds.

Agree that sleeping on hard floor in sleeping bag sounds a bit chilly & miserable.

I think its perfectly acceptable for a child to sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor woulkd give them pillows though.
Think some kids are a bit too pampered today

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dd1 ended up coming home at 1130 one night after being helpfully provided a carpet for a sleepover with a new friend.

it took another hour for her to stop crying long enough to fall asleep.

i would at least have provided a sheet ffs.

"Think some kids are a bit too pampered today"

and yet sleep deprivation is a form of torture....

Suspect there's a happier median there some where...?

I used to have regularly sleepovers and always gave my guest my own bed.
Recently one mum brought along a cushion bed thing from their caravan for their child to sleep on at my home.
But it would not even fit in the room!
So she ended up with the futon and the caravan cushion was used that night as a setee when they watched their 'late night film' with popcorn.

Madwoman - that's horrible.....

Why is it acceptable for a chld to sleep on the floor but not an adult? Why do children have to accept discomfot but not a young child?

There really is no excuse for not at least offering some sofa cushions or a cheap blow up is there? And if you really can't afford to offer either at least let the parents know so they can decide to send something should they prefer.

I don;t ever remember sleeping on a floor ever. Yes, have had a blow up bed go down, but at least he bed was there in the first place.

nesh = softie I guess

Even when DS had a birthday party sleepover with 5 friends everyone got a 'bed':

• Ds in top bunk
• 1 in lower bunk
• 1 on futon mattress on floor

Guest room (next to DSs room):

• 2 in double bed
• 1 on inflatable mattress

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If your son is so sensitive, it is surely not "rocket science" for you to send him with adequate home comforts. Don't presume other people share your opinions and standards.

I wouldnt want to sleep on the floor and wouldnt want my kids to either
If i didnt have spare bed I would have put somthing down for padding blankets/ towels anything

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childrens bodies and adults bodies are different. Children are lighter and more flexible.

Doesn't sound like he's the only one who is sensitive actually
(Try telling any sleep-deprived mother of a new baby she's sensitive...)

Interesting to see peoples different views and standards... FFS even dogs get baskets with cushions in!

He's been going for sleepovers for 2-3 years, and it's the first time I've encountered it, so it's obviously not a widespread practice.

I don't sleep at other people's houses - why on earth would I? I'm not a child who thinks staying at friends houses is an adventure. When I was I was lucky to have a sleeping bag.

What have sleep deprived mothers of newborns got to do with it? Here's a tip. If your child is going to be so dreadfully affected by a sleepover (because most children don't actually do much sleeping during these things) don't let them go. It's not compulsory.

Pitchounette - yes, that's it, isn't it.. when you let a child go to a friend's house you assume the parent will take care of them.

Clearly some people have different standards of 'care'.

I don't think a sleeping bag on the floor constitutes neglect. Have you never been camping?