Age for sleepovers

[Imnotdrinkingmerlot]

What age did your kids start having sleepovers? Our dc have never spent a night anywhere without either myself or their dad. They are now 6 & 8. We have no family nearby who would be able to, and dd (8) struggles somewhat with separation and change (awaiting asc assessment) so has always been upset at the prospect of sitters etc.

Friends of theirs are starting to have sleepovers, but they both really don't want to. This has never been a problem for us so I've not pushed it, but friends have suggested I'm being too soft (there's an event coming up where I could only go with overnight childcare, and i really want to go!).

Just wondering if we are outside the norm on this?

My DC are older than yours and really aren't bothered about sleepovers . Some of their peers have had regular sleepovers with friends from P1 age or younger. There's no right or wrong but building them up for future school/brownies/Cub overnight trips might be useful.

Could you do a trial run on a night when you could pick them up if needed and see how they get on? Would they prefer to be together or go and stay with separate friends?