AIBU to think aged 7 is a but young for a Sleepover birthday party

[Supersares]

So dd is 7 soon and has her heart set on a sleepover birthday party. It should be fine as we have spare air beds and room for about 4 to stay over but I’m just thinking they’re a bit young. I know a couple of her friends mums quite well so think they’d be ok with it but the other mums I don’t know. Just wondering if others think 7 is a bit young to have a sleepover party as I’m not sure how I’d feel about dd sleeping at someone else’s house yet?

Seven is a perfectly normal age to sleep over imo. I’d have happily packed my ds off age 7 to a good friend’s for the night and I’ll happily do the same for my dd. Tbh if they asked now, I’d be likely to say yes - and she’s 2yo. I could always nip over in the night and collect her if she needed, but unless she tries, she won’t know when she’s ready.

I’d say reception age is a very normal age to start sleepovers with close friends (4-5). I do think COVID seemed to change that a bit, just because a lot of children got so used to being at home. We had a 7th birthday party that was a drop-off and the amount of parents who wouldn’t drop their kids off was really surprising. Some children had never spent time away from parents and a couple were a bit teary, but managed it in the end. Not judging that at all (my own ds can be nervous about not being with me at times) but I was surprised at the amount of children who’d never done a basic drop-off party, let alone had a sleepover. I think it’s much better to let them explore these social situations early, build up friendship bonds and just have fun.

It’s the average age

Around here it starts about age 9, and that’s what suited both my dds. I think it really depends on the friendships and how much you know the family.

If all the kids are in brownies or beavers then it should be fine but otherwise I'd worry about them freaking out in the night and wanting to go home.

I think this is quite unusual? I experienced abuse as a young person, but I’m not sure this is a healthy way to view it. A mindset like this could bar babysitters, sleeping at family, beavers and scout or similar camps, school overnight events etc. I think in that situation, in the gentlest way possible, it ends up being very led by parental anxiety and not what’s actually best for the child. I also think it could cause really big issues in teen years where boundaries are pushed and a parent trying to enforce no sleepovers could get into a really difficult situation (my mistake if your age comment was re under teens and I misunderstood).

This is genius!

Another no sleepovers parent at this age.

How well do you really know the parents? Who is coming in and out the house? Would a 7 year old be able to protect themselves and fend off any potential abuse? You're not there, you're handing your child over to potential dangerous situations.

Predators do not broadcast who they are. There will be at least one or two children in each class that are being abused at home, be it sexual abuse, neglect etc. The NSPCC reports abuse is actually under reported. Parents like me are not hysterical or raising children that will have issues later in life. I'm protecting my child.

Worth the risk? No. Not for me.

But in any event, I would say 7 is far too young.

She’s had cousins stay over and stayed at cousins houses but not been to/had any friends sleep over as yet. I’m inclined to think I’ll wait..just need to think of an alternative now! Although I do love the idea of the sleep over themed party someone suggested with pj’s and spooky stories!