When did DC start having sleepovers?

DS is 8 and in 3rd grade. He was just invited to his first sleepover. The classmate has invited 4 boys to stay over. I don't really know the parents who are hosting, but I know the other kids/parents and the mother sent home a nice note with her contact information and said to feel free to call or email. He lives only a few blocks from us.

I wasn't ready for this. I'm normally very laid back and have allowed DS to go home on the bus with classmates to have a play date. Sleepovers seem different though. What age did you allow sleepovers? DS really wants to go. I plan to communicate with the mother and to tell DS that if he isn't having a good time or doesn't want to stay over, we'll come and get him. Obviously I'm going to get all of the details about the sleepover, but is there any other information you suggest getting? This is definitely new territory for me. Thanks!

Re: When did DC start having sleepovers?

We let our kids sleep over friend's houses this year for the first time. They are 8 and 9 (3rd and 4th grade). I am still not totally comfortable with it, but I trust the parents and my girls were thrilled. They have iPod touches and brought those so they could text us if they needed to.

Re: When did DC start having sleepovers?

My DS is 7, so haven't had to cross this bridge yet. Given that situation, I think I'd decline. It is his first sleep over and you don't know the parents. If you knew them fairly well, I would say ok.

I had a bad experience in fourth or fifth grade where I slept over a new friend's house. Her family seemed nice enough, but I found out after I was dropped off (BEFORE cell phones) that their house was absolutely filthy (like a bowl of ice cream crusted over in the girl's dresser drawer, junk all over so you can't even walk, cats with dirt and literally a spilled garbage bag with garbage all over their kitchen counter). I am allergic to cats and the girl literally gave me her cat's pillow to use to sleep. I had an allergic reaction to all the dust and cats, i didn't sleep all night. It was awwwfullllll. I would hate for my child to go through something like that, so I'll be extra cautious with sleepovers.

When did DC start having sleepovers?

I personally wouldn't let my kids sleep over at someone's house where I don't know the parents well.

Re: When did DC start having sleepovers?

My kid is 4.5 and I am waiting for his first sleepover invite. Anyone?? LOL

Re: When did DC start having sleepovers?

I have an 8 yo in 3rd, and we don't allow for sleepovers. I would pick him up late from friend's house, but he has to sleep in his own bed at this age

Re: When did DC start having sleepovers?

At 6&7, my DS and his BF planned a sleepover. I was relieved to hear that the other mom doesn't allow her 10 year old do sleepovers.

We said only cousins for sleepovers. The world is a weird place. People who I thought I knew as kids had weird stuff going on in their families. Just not worth it.

When did DC start having sleepovers?

My dd is only 2 1/2 so I can't comment about her, but I started sleeping over my best friend's house when I was 6 or 7. Our families were very good friends, but I've certainly had my share of sleepovers at homes where my parents marginally knew the parents. For my 8th birthday I had a sleep over party for 20 girls. I still can't believe my mom allowed that.

I know it's a different world, but those memories are some of the best I have growing up. I hope that my daughter has good friends like that and if I'm close with the family and she is comfortable at their home I would also allow her to start sleeping over around 6 or 7.

Re: When did DC start having sleepovers?

Re: When did DC start having sleepovers?

Re: When did DC start having sleepovers?

My DS starting having friends sleep over when they were towards the end of second grade (they were both just turning 8). His buddy's mom had a baby early so it was fun, but also to help her out. Other friends have slept over since then (he is in 4th and almost 10 now)

However, my DS has yet to sleep over at anyone's house but that is because he get anxious sleeping away from home, and honestly, I did too at that age, so I don't force the issue.

I probably am more lenient because I am divorced and my DS sleeps at my ex's house and he's been with a few girls (has a steady gf for over two years) but they have had sleepovers there, and I have no control over those things.