Is 7 year old son too young to sleep at a friends house?

Question

My 7 year old son was invited to a sleep over birthday party at a friends house. There are 15 boys invited, but I think he is too young. I know the boy's parents, but my son has never been to their house. My son also has occasional night terrors too, what if he has one while he is there? He has slept at a friend's house before, but it was his best friend's house and he ahd been there many times before actaully sleeping htere. I have also heard that the birthday boys parents aren't strict about bedtime either, so I know he is going to come home miserable the next day. I asked my son if he wanted to go and have me pick him up before his bedtime, he wasn't going for that. Please help, what should I do?

Answer 1

If he wants to go, then by golly, let him go!  He's going to have to start making decisions and going to sleepovers sometime; there is no "too young" age to start something like that.  Plus, with fifteen other boys there (who I'm assuming are also his friends), he's bound to feel safe and comfortable.  If he doesn't, he could always ask to call you.  Tell him this.  But keep in mind, the parents probably have loads of fun activities planned to keep everyone happy (unlike a sleepover for teenagers, where kids just sit around and do whatever and pull all-nighters because they "feel like it").

As for the bedtime thing, it's just a sleepover--one night.  It's not like this is a change he'll have to adjust to for the rest of his life.  And as seven-year-olds, they're probably not going to want to pull all-nighters anyway.  I guess as seven-year-olds with sugar from the cake, they're capable of anything, but I wouldn't worry too much about it.  Again, with fifteen boys there, if and when they get too loud at late hours, the parents will step in.

I'd trust your judgment best, though, seeing as you're his mom. :)

Answer 2

I would let him go, I do not think that 7 is to young. I went on my first one around 6. And yea the bedtime thing may be a bit of an issue., but I think that it would be really good to let him go he will have a fun time and it you will be able to listen to him tell you all about it for the comming weeks.

Answer 3

don't worry it's a good learning experience. the only way too see if he's ready is if you let him go. it's okay if he misses one night over his bedtime just make sure you reinforce it the next day.

Answer 4

I think 7 is too young to let him go to a friend's house... but that's just my opinion.

Answer 5

well he's not to young i mean my son started spending the night at friends house at that age and maybe his friends will help him though the night terrors and he will probably make new ones. if its a weekend then he needs some fun and at that age they probably wont stay up that late just make him go to bed early the next day.

Answer 6

Let him go if he wants.  You can only run interference for him for so long, sooner or later he has to make his own decisions, take his own lumps, build his own confidence without mom's safety net.  Just be prepared to pick him up in the middle of the night, like in the commercial (and hopefully be as undertanding as the parent in the commercial).

Answer 7

I agree 7 is a great age for a sleepover and that it's fine for them to stay up late for a sleepover (that's the whole point ... and though he may indeed be tired the next day, it will be a positive experience he remembers for years to come).  You can warn the mom about the night terrors.  I'd let him do it unless you're really uncomfortable with the parents, in which case I'd just flatly inform your son that you're picking him up at bedtime (and use the night terrors as an excuse to the parents).

My only concern would be the 15 kids -- that's huge for a sleepover.  I just hosted 8 kids for my 9-year-old's sleepover and that was a lot (and they were girls, and older).

Answer 8

he's old enough. if he's mature enough not to howl for you at bedtime. as far as bed time, IT'S A PARTY! didn't you ever go to a slumber party? nobody actually sleeps! and as for him being grouchy- it's called a nap.