Slumber Party Etiquette

[ajrsmom]

Some Ins & Outs for Slumber Party Fun.....

IF YOURE THE HOST PARENT:

1.START SMALL- Try a one friend sleepover before having multiple guests. Fourth & Fifth graders are just the right suggested age.

2.CONSIDER SLEEP HABITS- Friday nights are the best night for a slumber party. Guests will be tired from school and go to sleep earlier.

3. MAKE PLANS-Schedule dinner,snacks,movies & bedtimes. Base bedtime on your child's normal time plus one hour.

4.OFFER TREATS-Let kids prepare snacks themselves,like build your own sundaes

5. THE VCR IS YOUR FRIEND-When it's close to bedtime, have kids hop into their sleeping bags and pop in a video. This is an excellent calming activity.

6.HAVE A HAPPY ENDING-Avoid morning activities since partygoers will be tired. Instead, plan a group breakfast, then have parents coem and pick up their kids


IF YOUR CHILD IS A GUEST:

1.NO NAPS BEFPREHAND-If kids do nap and then stay up into the wee hours, it'll throw off sleep for days.

2.PLACE A CHECKUP CALL-If your child is insecure about being away from home, call her to say "I love you".

3.SEND ALONG A BIT OF HOME-Have your child take along a favorite blanket or stuffed animal. If the host makes this a request, no teddy-dependant child will stand out.

4.PREPARE FOR LATE NIGHT TRIPS HOME-Your child may decide at 10:00 that she really want to go home. It can be frightening when a child realizes that she isnt sleeping in her own bed and that her parents arent there.

5. KNOW THE HOSTS- If you dont know them, either decline the invitation or find someone you trust who can vouch for them.


Taken from Women's Day Magazine

[rosmith]

And, if your child is a guest, please pick your child up on time! A friend of mine had a child left at her house for 4+ hours after the designated pick up time! And when the mom arrived, she did not understand why the host parents were upset!