Don't be put off by the idea of a slumber
party. They are noisy and inconvenient for the grown-ups, but great fun for
the kids. In terms of preparation, a slumber party is a snap. Here are the
basics:
Age range: 8 years and up
Boys and girls will both enjoy slumber parties separately, but I do not recommend
co-ed parties for any age group!
Optimal number of guests Four to eight, depending on the size of your home and the amount of sleep
you absolutely must have that night.
Planning
Choose a date when you know everyone in the house can sleep in the next day,
since the noise of the party will likely keep everyone up past the usual
bedtime. Set up in the living room or rec room - it's always more of an adventure
to sleep somewhere other than a bedroom. Ideally, slumber parties should
start after dinner (around 8 p.m. and end before lunch the next day (around
10 a.m.)
Activities
At my childhood slumber parties, we played Truth or Dare, gossiped, gave
each other makeovers, tried to guess which boys liked us and giggled a lot.
So you don't have to plan a lot of activities. This is one type of party
where the guests can make it up as they go along. You can rent movies and
have board games, like Scrabble or Pictionary, available if the kids seem
bored.
Food
Traditional slumber party snacks are popcorn, chips, pretzels, soda or punch,
and whatever cookies or candy the guests have smuggled in.
Your obligations as the adult on duty
Greet all the guests and make a point of showing them where the bathrooms
are, as children are often too embarrassed to ask. Tell each guest (privately
if you prefer) that they can ask you to call their parents at any time if
they want to go home. Show them where they can unroll their sleeping bags
and change into their pajamas. Greet their parents, and get home phone numbers
and any special information you may need (food allergies, info about retainers,
nighttime fears, etc.)
Half the fun of a slumber party is the feeling of being unsupervised, so
stay out of the way for the most part. Do check in periodically, though,
especially to see if any kids are feeling homesick, or to break up any tensions
that may arise those gossip and Truth-or Dare sessions. Offer extra drinks
and snacks, and of course, remind them to quiet down or turn out the lights.
It's no fun staying up all night unless you aren't supposed to!
Other than that, your only duties are to put up with a lot of giggling and
general noisiness.
The next morning
You don't have to make a huge breakfast, but do have a variety of choices;
cereal, toast, eggs, juice. Breakfast is an easy meal, with items that are
almost universally popular. Ask the kids to help clean up any mess made the
night before. Before each guest leaves, ask if they have collected all their
belongings. Make sure your child is there to say goodbye to each guest, and
to keep company with the child who is last to be picked up.
About the Author:
Barbara Thomas is a work-at-home-mom
to Natalie, age 2. She is a freelance writer and owner of
The Professional Pen Business Writing
Services. Her website provides writing tips and small business advice
to small and home-based businesses. Some items in this article were adapted
by FamilyCorner.com Magazine.
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Don't be put off by the idea of a slumber
party. They are noisy and inconvenient for the grown-ups, but great fun for
the kids. In terms of preparation, a slumber party is a snap. Here are the
basics: 
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