I'm not sure if this question has been posted before...probably has, but here it goes anyway. My just turned 7 year old girl, has been invited for a sleepover for a friends birthday. The parents of the birthday girl are inviting 5 girls and they are staying overnight at a hotel with a water slide. Personally, my gut reaction is not to let her go...will I be picking her up anyway in the middle of the night. She's never slept over anywhere else..Mom/Dad and triplet brothers have always been along. Secondly, she is fearful of water, eventhough she is taking private lessons. What is a good age to start letting them have sleepover and letting them stay overnight somewhere? I can remember not having a sleepover until I was 9. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

LCMM
(mom to bgb trips-7 years old)

Wow, for my kids that would be a MAJOR sleep over (and a blast) but we made the decision no sleep overs until they were 8. Could you compromise to letting her go but either you or your husband come along and stay until say 9-ish. That way she can play with her friends, try swimming if she'd like but have the comfort (for all of you) of coming home to sleep. She could even maybe meet her friends for breakfast in the morning.
One of my daughters was invited to a b-day sleep over recently. Luckily the mom called me first and I told her Maggie wasn't able to sleep over. After talking to other moms they changed the party to a pajama party with the kids wearing PJ's but going home at 8p.
Good luck

Judie and Victor
lucky parents to
Frankie 3/95
Maggie 7/96
Rose 7/96
Elizabeth 7/96

Judie and Victor
lucky parents to
Frankie 3/95
Maggie 7/96
Rose 7/96
Elizabeth 7/96

I think that's just what we will do and pick her up at close to their winding down time. I just didn't want to come across as this over protective Mom. It's good to know I'm not be unreasonable. It just seems to me that birthday party planning has become very competitive..at least where we are. Everyone is trying to out do the next guy.
I noticed your girls were born in July too, what date? Ours is the 27th. Thanks for the input

Our girls were born on July 1st (my husband wanted to wait until the 4th but I was READY.) Aren't 7 year old girls loads of fun!!

Judie and Victor
lucky parents to
Frankie 3/95
Maggie 7/96
Rose 7/96
Elizabeth 7/96

Judie and Victor
lucky parents to
Frankie 3/95
Maggie 7/96
Rose 7/96
Elizabeth 7/96

That is exactly what I was going to suggest. You might even have the mom call you when they start falling asleep and you can run pick her up then.

I'm glad to see your responses on this bc my 1st grade daughter has been invited to spend the night at friend's houses since Kindergarten! I've always said no and my neighbor acts like I'm an ogre. For me, first grade is too young.

Like the other mom, I've thought 8 yrs old was plenty early to spend the night at someone's house (other than grandma's).

Marie

Marie

My 8 yr old has not yet gone on a sleep over (other than Nana's) but she was invited last year to a friend's house and I said no. The little girl was in her class at school and lived with her grandmother. The grandmother wanted to take the girls to the movies, let her stay overnight, and then to church the next morning and then back home. I barely knew the family so I said no. They went to the movies and then brought her home instead. This year I would probably let her stay overnight with someone in the neighborhood (I know all our neighbors) but I still would not let her stay with a family that I barely knew.

Nettie

Mom to g/g/g age 4
and 8 yr old big sister

Nettie

Mom to g/g/g age 7
and 11 yr old big sister
and ^angel big brother^

Well I am in the minority here but my dd has been having sleepovers since she was 4 for over a year now. But always at a close friends home that I know very well, and not a large group.

One ds has attempted a sleepover, but I had to pick him up at 10. It so depends on the child and your comfort level of course. I live in a small town where everybody knows everyones business, and like I mentioned I'm very close friends with the parents.

If you're comfortable with the supervision at the pool, I'd let her go but perhaps be prepared to pick her up. You have to make the decision that's right for you and your dd.

Rochelle
gbb 04/06/98

I guess it just depends on the maturity/readiness level of the child more than the age. You know your daughter best and should do what the both of you are comfortable with. My daughter is a "mature" 5 and has done a few sleepovers (but no slumber parties). My son spent his first night away from us when he was 3 (but he was at his older cousin's house) and then wasn't ready to go again until he was 5. My other son really wanted to spend the night with his grandmother (the other 2 have been going for one on one gramma time for awhile) but when it was his turn he chickened out and wanted to stay with mommy. They are all at different comfort levels.

Jenni
mom of ABC 11/1/98
baby girl "Sparkle" due 6/21

It definitely depends on the child. Our 7 year old son has been on sleep overs for at least 2 years now. We have never gone to get him in the night. Although he did have a friend try to sleep over at about age 5 or 6 and we had to take him home. Our trio is just as eager to stay elsewhere. They always beg to go to other people's houses like big brother. I know they would stay and be fine even though they aren't even 4 yet. They are off and running when they get to go to a friend's house to play, they hardly say goodbye to me when I go on an errand or something.

You know what's best for your daughter, so if you think it's best she not go, keep her home. I'm sure the other parents will understand not all kids are ready by 7 and not all are comfortable in the water. Good luck with this.

Trip33
Jared 10/96
Emily, Allison & Nathan 3/00 at 37 wks

No Way!!! A sleepover at a hotel with other children and one set of parents. NO WAY! I wouldn't have been allowed as a child and I wouldn't let my children. Again... No Way!
Too many variables. A hotel that you don't know who, besides the children, is spending the night at. Parents that are spending the night, hopefully in the next room, but again, in the next room KWIM? Five girls who may have different values than my child and would have ample time to share. A water slide with one set of parents to be responsible for when they are not familiar with the swiming abilities of each. Changing into and out of swimsuits, Where? With who helping? NO WAY!
I'll definitely be the bad guy with my sons when it comes to this, but I don't even let them out of my sight in a waiting room at the doctors office let alone with someone else in a hotel! Outside of immediate family sleepovers, I would need to REALLY know the family that they were to spend the night with and there would be very clear parameters.
Now so I don't sound like a total nut case, my sons would be totally allowed to go to a swimming party with myself or my husband present.