Sleepover and Slumber Party
Survival Guide for Parents
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It's a fact of life - kids love over-nighting together.
It's also a fact of life that a parent is rather attached to her sleep. So how do the two divergent agendas meet?
In the restful realm of rules designed to govern both the sleepover host and her guests.
Here are my top 10 Over-Nighting Rules for Kids:
1 If the kid shares a room, don't make (or even allow) the sibling to share the social time.
Put the party kids in sleeping bags in the family room. The overnight contingent won't want to include the sibling. And there's no reason to force the issue. It's not his or her night. Yet.
2 Plan an alternate activity for the left-out sibling.
If you can arrange a play date or overnight for him, too - great! If not, plan the evening's activity, such as a family moive, that will keep him with you - and out of the way of the sleepover kids.
3 Plan ahead for the kid-host.
Give your child some good-host guidelines before the guests arrive: if TV's okay, how long they can watch, and an appropriate lights-out time. (You'll notice I didn't say bedtime. I have LOTS of overnights at my house.)
Remind her that solitary pursuits, such as video games, prevent sleepover interaction instead of encouraging it. Suggest board games or outdoor play instead.
4 Give first-time guests a
lay-of-the-land home tour.
If you're anything like me, you probably won't want a 3 a.m. visitor roaming the halls in search of the bathroom.
5 Make sure guests know your
house rules.
This includes notice as to where in the home (such as mom's room) is off-limits to play and young visitors.
6 Make contact with the parents.
You'll need to know how to reach them that evening, overnight, and in the morning. Ask whether the child has any food or pet allergies you should be aware of.
If you're planning a movie night, find out what film rating the child is permitted to view. Set a pick up time now.
Clear any plans you have to go out and leave the kids with a babysitter with the guests' parents before they drop her off. Keep the parents' phone numbers handy.
7 Stay within earshot of the kids at all times.
Out of eye-sight; maybe. But always within hearing distance so you can ensure the night is going as planned.
8 Prepare guest comforts for each child.
Keep out a clean glass. Provide guest towels on a guest towel rack. If there's no room for another rack, put a hook on the back of the bathroom door just for guest towels.
Keep one drawer empty for guest toiletries. If space is an issue, a caddy or basket will work nicely.
Make a manicure/pedicure station for teens. (It might just keep them off the cell phone for a while.)
9 Let the kids know when you're going to bed and that you expect them to dial-down the activity volume accordingly.
This is the time to reconfirm your previously chosen bedtime.
10 Prepare a really cool - or really hot - party treat.
Bake gooey chocolate-chunk cookies, order an extra-cheesy pizza. Do whatever it takes to make your home the place where kids want to go for serious fun.
The Sleepover Survival Guide for Parents
Party Clean Up With Kids
10 Rules for a Successful Slumber Party
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