Unless I really trusted the person and knew them well I wouldn’t leave them alone until they are at least 7 or 8 and that’s also depending on the child and their personality.

My kids have had a few playdates with kids whose parents I barely know and it’s always worked out fine. I’ve dropped kids off at parties and left them for a few hours without having previously met the parents.
My kids are now asking for sleepovers and that’s a lot different to me. I’ve never let them have a sleepover if I don’t know the parents.

It really depends on how well you know the other parents. Some I’d be okay with, others not.

I’d have other kids over at my house at that age if the parents were ok with it but I personally wouldn’t let my kids that age go somewhere else on their own.

My kids never had sleepovers because there was at least 50kms between them and their best friends.

I think if you know the parents fairly well and long term, it’s okay. I would never let my child go to anyone’s house before knowing them for a while. I felt like around 10 was okay for my children to have sleepovers as per the above circumstances. Mine are all teenagers now and I still insist on meeting every parent and coming to drop off and pick them up personally.

My daughter had her first sleepover at age 6- we had her little friend over at our house. After a little bit she also slept over at her friend’s. I personally think it’s fine, so long as you feel comfortable.

At this age we mostly did playdates at parks and play centres. It wasn’t until they were a little older that they started to go to friends’ houses. However it still depends on the friend, their parents and how well I knew them all. Always trust your gut instinct.

It all depends on how well you know the other parents. My children rarely went to other people’s houses, but quite a few of their friends came to our house. I would have thought around 8 though rather than 6yo.

Setting up a coffee catch up with a mum or mums is also a good way to get to know the other mums and parents and households and feel more comfortable about making a decision that is right for you and your child.

I think it largely depends on how well you know the other parents. There are some parents I was happy to leave my kids with when very young – others, no. And yes, you should supervise when you have other kids around, and yeah, it can feel like low key babysitting.

Trust your gut mumma. Safeguarding your child is not helicopter parenting, it is good parenting. They can still have play dates, just go with them and have a cupola with the friend’s parents.

Every child is different! I love fostering independence, so if your child is asking to do it, then support them in achieving this! It may not be an immediate success, but that’s OK!

Just last weekend my daughter’s friend and her little brother were left with us for an Easter egg hunt (they’re both 4 and the boys 3).
I was surprised the parents just dropped them off but am happy that they trusted us enough to leave them.
I think if someone has their own kids the same age, they would treat and look after the kids like their own if left with them.

I will be more than happy to have play dates at my house for a while but not entirely sure when I’d feel comfortable having my children go play on their own… it’s sad we think that way but you can’t be too careful

Follow your intuition and if it does not feel right than reflect on that feeling and go with it. We have always had to know people well and feel comfortable.

It’s a hard call. You have to get to know the parents as best you can first and feel your way. Maybe start with short play dates. I’d be waiting a few more years but that is just me.

I find it is the modern normal.

Personally, I want to know where my child is going. What the home is like and meet the parents.

My daughter is 5 and has been having play dates at a friends house since she was 4.5 years old as i know the mums quite well and we all help each other out to allow us to go to appointments etc. I think if you know the mum well it is worth giving it a try even if you sit in your car around the corner with a coffee and allow your child to play for an hour. It is a great learning opportunity for both you and your child and will teach them that it is ok to spend time without you.

My twins are 6, and still haven’t had a play date where a parent is not present, even if we know the parents well. I’m not sure if it’s normal or not – but I think setting your own rules with what your comfy with is absolutely valid.