As Max is starting school next week, I know he will be making many more friends. If it is anything like when I was at school, they will often come over to play after school. It seemed at least once a week I went to friend’s house, or they came to my house. I know four years old might seem a little too young to be thinking about it, but when is the right age for a sleepover, as that will inevitably become the next thing?
They are something that I enjoyed when I was growing up, so with the right friends, I don’t think they need to be something that is banned completely. But how do you know when they are ready and you won’t be dashing to go and get them in the middle of the night because they are crying?
I had my first big sleepover for my eighth birthday. I remember it like it was yesterday! We took over the living room with lots of my friends. It was most of their first sleepover too. My birthday is in April and it was near Easter and I remember that we gave them all an Easter egg when they left, instead of a party bag. Such funny things we remember! Do you remember when you had your first sleepover?
When planning sleepovers, I think it’s important that you and the other parents have open and clear communication about when the kids should arrive and leave and the number to contact in an emergency. Let them know your rules on if your child gets upset or is the naughty one. As for being the naughty one, sometimes even the well-behaved kids can get a little wound up and do silly things at a sleepover. So, the best thing is to anticipate what could happen and lay down some clear ground rules in advance. You could discuss:
- Staying inside after a certain hour
- This will obviously vary depending on the age of the children.
- Rules about what to eat
- It is a sleepover, though, so you do want some fun things. You might just have certain rooms that they can’t eat in. So that needs to be discussed too.
- Use (if any) of phones and Internet
- Again; this might depend on the age of the children. If you aren’t there to monitor it, though, you might want to just stick to games and movies. Set up parental controls on the internet.
- Rules about noise level and physical activity
- Maybe set a time that they need to quiet down after and remove any breakable lamps etc from the room!
- Guidelines for acceptable movies
- This is so important o discuss. Some parents won’t want their children watching certain films. So let them know what the plan is for the night.
Other things you can do is to ask the other children to bring things like their own sleeping bag and pillow. It will make things a bit easier and you will know who’s is who’s. Max has been sent a gorgeous Snuggle Sac from Ollie and Leila. So he is ready for sleepovers (though I think they will just be with his cousins for the time being)!
First of all, I loved that it came in a carry tote bag. It rolls up fairly small and then cane easily carried. it is light too, so even Max can carry it around. Sp perfect for sleepover or taking on trips or on holiday. Second of all, I love the design of it. Simple but really stylish. I think a design like this is pretty timeless, so it will last between Max and Chloe for a while.
The Snuggle Sac is super soft! I really like that it is a fleece material, rather than a shiny polyester thing that I always had for sleeping bags growing up. So not only is it soft, but it is comfy for them to sleep with too. Kids can be a bit funny about the texture of things so this has worked well for us.
The Snuggle Sac costs £45, which I think is a little pricey for what it is. It is good quality, though, and it does look expensive, if that makes any sense? It might work well for a gift once your child is getting to the age for sleepovers. Then they will feel all grown-up having their own things to take. All in all I think it is a lovely product!
What do you think to the Snuggle Sac? Do you have any thoughts on children and sleepovers?
*the Snuggle Sac was gifted in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
You know i’ve actually been pondering the same question myself this week as Riley’s already asked if one of his friends can come for a sleepover. I’m not adverse to the idea, i just think 4 is a very young age and i have images of myself having to run someone else’s child home in the middle of the night because they’re crying! Love the look of this Snuggle Sac though, that simple star design is right up my street! xx
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I know what you mean, it is tricky. Different with family I think but when you hardly know the child…x
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Such an interesting post. My daughter is 3 and has already asked to go and have a sleepover at her twinnie best friend’s house. As their mum is one of my closest friends then I wouldn’t mind at all. But I feel it is a big ask for my friend. I remember having lots of sleepovers as a child and loving them. Although I hated my yucky sleeping bag. The snuggle sac looks and sounds lovely. I like the simple design and that they use fleece fabric. Very cosy. Hugs Lucy xxxx
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It is much easier if you know the parent – at least you can be upfront and honest about how you’re feeling about it all x
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The snuggle sack looks so comfy and warm! I don’t remember my first sleepover. I actually always remember wanting to come home and getting quite upset over it. I always had so much fun until it came to the actual going to sleep part. Xx
Ha, I don’t think you’re alone in that – my nephew has had to go home a couple of times x
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I remember a sleepover buddy from when I was little whom always had to bring spare knickers with her as we used to laugh so much she wet herself! I’d be happy to host a sleepover once my daughter is a bit older I reckon!
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haha oh no! I think it would be fun too 🙂
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I really think this is such a good topic to cover! Honestly, it is something I think about often. My son is only 17-months-old, so I have a lot of time before I really need to start considering it though. My family is strictly gluten-free, and contamination really is something that concerns me. Talking with the other parent is soo so soooooooo important! Thanks for sharing! <3 #KCACOLS
wow yes that would be a big concern. Definitely keep the communication open x
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Im dreading Harry asking to stay over at his mates house . He is only 4 so hopefully i have a bit of time but im a total control freak and just wouldnt sleep myself. The Snuggle Sac looks veryt nice but £45 !! Bit steep #KCACOLS
True, you forget that it would be hard on us having them away for the night!
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My seven year old went on an overnight camping party a couple of weeks ago and that was his first proper ‘sleepover’. He was definitely ready and I was ok but not sure I would have wanted him to do one much younger though! x
I think around seven or eight is a good age x
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We’ve been talking about this a lot lately! Archie is only 4 but has just started asking when he can stop at his friends and when they can stop at ours. I hoping to put him off a bit longer yet & introduce him slowly, with his cousins at first! The snuggle sack looks fab’. It’s a bit pricey but if it helps him settle when he’s away from home, it’s worth it! #KCACOLS
I was 13 when I had my first sleep over. I think I’d be terrified for a sleepover under 10! #KCACOLS
The snuggle sac looks very comfortable. I will check it out as little man loves sleepovers! 🙂
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Oh the snuggle sack does look lovely and comfortable. I agree it sounds a little pricey though. I think I would only consider it if they really wanted one and went to lots of sleepovers. Thanks so much for linking with #KCACOLS. We hope you come back next week.
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My eldest had her first sleep over for her 10th birthday back in January and I said ‘Never again!’ There were 5 of them and I couldn’t sleep until they did- they didn’t! Now the bench mark has been set and the others are already planning theirs for their 10th birthdays. Lord, help me!!!!! #KCACOLS
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My daughter’s desperate to starry having sleepovers. Only problem is she’s not even 4 years old yet. I blame Zoe Zebra’s mum myself hosting a sleepover for Peppa Pig etc when they are still at playgroup!