Moms Talk: Sleepovers – When to Start?

Each week our Moms Council discusses a different parenting issue. Join the conversation by weighing in on a topic or ask our panel of experts your question.

We put this week's question to our Potomac Patch for their ideas and advice. The suggestions don’t end here‚ add your own tips and advice in the comments section below.

This week's question comes from , a reader and Potomac Moms Council member.

Sleepovers – at what age did you start them? Do you have any tips for prepping your kids for their first sleepover or making the first experience a good one?   

I proposed the sleepover question because I don’t really have the answers… so my input is a little lean.

My 7-year-old just got invited to her first sleepover party. She didn’t sleepover because our weekend plans didn’t allow, but it got me thinking about whether she’s ready for that or not and I’m not sure. I distinctly recall attempting a sleepover or two about that age and my parents picking me up in the evening to head back home. My daughter has spent plenty of overnights with her grandparents with no problem. As far as staying at a friend’s house (or having a friend stay at ours), I guess I’ll gage when she’s ready by her willingness to go but would love to hear from other mom’s re tips/suggestions/input.

My children are way too young for sleepovers so we haven't had to think about this yet. I will say, however, that growing up my younger sister had a much harder time with them than I did. She called my parents so many times to be picked up that they finally stopped allowing her to spend the whole night. A few months later they let her try again and it was better.

I think my parent's rule was good for my sister for two reasons. 1) She really wasn't ready so it was better to say just no and 2) it gave her an excuse to leave before she was too homesick and took some pressure off.