How to Survive Your Kids Sleepover

Whether your little one is new to sleepovers or your older child is a seasoned pro, sleepovers can be a blast, but they can also put a lot of stress on mom. Learn how to have a stress free sleepover, by following these easy steps!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Kids
• Entertainment
• Food

1. PLAN AHEAD
   
   Sit down with your family and decide how much notice you need of sleepovers. Our friend's allow sleepovers at the last minute, in our family we need to know at least the morning of. You may need time to plan dinner, clean up, do laundry, or just prepare yourself!

2. STOCK UP
   
   Keep a shelf in your linen closet just for sleepovers. Show the kids where it is, so they can get it out and put it away the next morning. Keep old comforters, pillows, pillow cases, and even some cheap toothbrushes, in case someone forgets.
   
   Stock up on food, too. If you see a deal on snacks, juice boxes, caffeine free soda... whatever... buy it all! This will save you from having to run to the store to have enough snacks. Show the kids where they are. They are responsible for getting there snacks and cleaning them up.

3. BRING ON THE ENTERTAINMENT
   
   Kids get bored easily. And when kids get bored, they usually get into trouble. Make sure you have plenty of resources on hand to keep them busy. Try crafts at the table like making paper masks, organized games or relays, truth or dare, and movies. Movies are great to wind down, but have at least two movies on hand, in case some kids are still wired after the first movie!

4. LAY DOWN THE LAW
   
   The most important thing to do, happens before the sleepover even starts. Talk to your child and explain this is a privilege. They are "in charge". If there friends make a mess, it will be up to your child to ask the other kids to help clean up. This will make your child feel important and take some of the stress of you.
   
   Start early, teach your kids what to expect, and you will be on your way to stress free sleepovers.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to limit the number of kids. Once you get to know a couple kids, add one or two at a time. Your child will start to decide who he doesn't want to come, base on who doesn't help!

[1GoGetter]

on 2/16/2009 I love sleepovers and you got it right - Lay down the Law right from the get-go and all is well. Great tips! 5*

[ChillinNugs]

on 2/16/2009 Great tips. I love the sleep-overs and all the company, but need to take your advice on these steps to save myself the messes I get left with. 5*

[anniewrites]

on 2/14/2009 Great tips! I will file these away for future use.

[Kallicat]

on 2/14/2009 Great tips for a successful and stressless sleep-over.

[agoodman]

on 2/14/2009 Oh Yea. I can relate very well. Good article.5.5