Boys & girls sleepovers issue - what age to separate?

[bundlebelly]

My dd has a longstanding friend who is a boy. For many years they have had sleepovers, obviously separate beds, sleeping bags, sometimes other friends there, sometimes not. Lovely boy, lovely family. BUT they are now both 11. I am starting to feel worried that this arragement can't continue when they are teens and the hormones kick in. I know I need to speak to the friends mum, which I will do, but just wanted a few more opinions before I do. What age would you bring in changes and introduce separate rooms for sleepovers? BTW my dd is quite a young 11, still loves her sylvanians, barbies, horses etc etc, but I know this won't last much longer!

someone must have an opinion?! just bumping back onto active in case!

IMO (with 2 young boys so not terribly helpful) if they are both young 11 year olds ok for now but not much longer especially if puberty is on the horizon

Talk to the other mum and play it by ear. My DD also has a close friend who's a boy. They last shared a room last summer, just before they started secondary school, but I suspect they wouldn't want to now. My DD has developed physically at a great rate, and would feel too self-conscious I think.

Boys and girls can be just friends beyond puberty ..my ds has loads of platonic girl friends

I'd let them guide you. If they are happy and enjoying their platonic friendship, then I wouldn't stop it. If it was becoming something more then I'd be twitchy and would direct them to separate rooms.

yes of course they can be friends but aside from being more self conscious about their bodies at puberty, I'd imagine there's more 'experimenting' with friends than parents realise (she says knowing all too well from personal experience)

Thanks for your replies ladies. Will deal with it soon I think.