Slumber parties?

Slumber party politics

 

by Jackie Goldston

With some parents banning sleepovers altogether, how do you go about having a “safe” slumber party?

There are many things to consider, the first being at what age are you comfortable to host a sleepover party? This is something that you need to decide for yourself; however our Facebook readers all seemed to agree that younger than 7 years old is too young and that it becomes more challenging over the age of 14.

Some tips to help make a slumber party run smoother include:

1.         Make sure you know the parents of all of the children coming to the party.

2.         Discuss with your child each of the children they want to invite and keep it small.

3.         Keep it to a single sex party – don’t make it any harder than it needs to be!

4.         Have a contact number for the parents for the actual night of the party (not just a home number in case they are going out, for example to dinner)

5.         Don’t use bunk beds; look at mattresses on the ground if possible.

6.         Agree on a bedtime well before the party starts.

7.         Ensure you have plenty of DVDs/ movies available suitable for the age group

8.         Check with the other parents and establish your comfort with internet access, mobile phones, iPods and agree if  they are allowed or need to be handed over on arrival

9.         Set clear rules: include no nastiness or straight home. If a child misbehaves repeatedly, their parents will be called and they will be asked to go home.

10.       Have a comprehensive first aid kit to hand – just in case.

11.        Do not drink any alcohol and don’t try and be a kid yourself – it is important to remain the responsible adult at all times.

12.       Ensure you are well rested as it is unlikely you will get much sleep on the night.