Sue Atkins in Conversation with The Sleep Nanny Lucy Shrimpton
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Sub Category: Sleepovers
10 Sleepover Tips Every Parent Should Know. Tip 1 – ‘A Rite of Childhood Passage’
Sleepovers can be a fun & a ‘rite of childhood passage”. Yet, sleepovers can also be a slippery slope just by their very nature, and it’s certainly appropriate for parents to have legitimate concerns. Here is the first in my series of 10 tips and advice to to keep your kids safe while having fun.
10 Sleepover Tips Every Parent Should Know. Tip 2 – Coordinate with Fellow Parents
Coordinating with Fellow Parents One of the best ways to have an easier time with sleepovers is to coordinate the details with fellow parents and get to know them in advance. Here are my ideas to help.
10 Sleepover Tips Every Parent Should Know. Tip 3 – Sleepover Etiquette and Safety
Whether you’re hosting or sending, explain the rules and boundaries of sleepovers ahead of time to your child. Minding manners, being polite, and respecting rules and the homes of host parents are important points to cover. Kids can get mischievous in groups, so making it clear that they are still subject to normal rules. Here are […]
10 Sleepover Tips Every Parent Should Know. Tip 4 – Planning
When you are ready to plan a sleepover remember that simple is always best That goes for activities, food, or planning. You don’t need to have a three-ring circus in your living room to keep kids entertained. Here are my ideas to help.
10 Sleepover Tips Every Parent Should Know. Tip 5 – Set the Ground Rules
Set out the ground rules from the start! One of the best ways to avoid arguments and problems during the night is to set firm but reasonable rules from the beginning. Here are my tips to help.
10 Sleepover Tips Every Parent Should Know. Tip 6 – Contact Information
One really important tip is to keep contact information in a central location. Many savvy parents will already have contact info for the parents of their kids’ friends. But it can be extra helpful to print out all the names and numbers of parents whose kids will be at your sleepover ahead of time and […]
10 Sleepover Tips Every Parent Should Know. Tip 7 – Pack the Essentials
Pack the essentials, but get your kid’s input, too! The core sleepover kit for younger kids includes a toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbrush, pajamas, and at least one other outfit. Check to see if they need to bring their own sleeping bag and/or pillow. If your child likes to sleep with a specific stuffed animal or blanket […]
10 Sleepover Tips Every Parent Should Know. Tip 8 – Supervise, but don’t tyrannise!
Supervise, but don’t tyrannise! If you are the host parent, it’s obviously your responsibility to supervise the kids in your care and make sure they don’t get hurt or do anything too crazy. Here is my advice to help find the balance.
10 Sleepover Tips Every Parent Should Know. Tip 9 – Expect the Unexpected
Expect the unexpected is the perfect saying for dealing with sleepovers and kids. You can plan the perfect sleepover to the T, but the kids might be more interested in an activity you didn’t plan, one or two kids might get homesick, the pizza might show up at wrong, time or with the wrong one […]
10 Sleepover Tips Every Parent Should Know. Tip 10 – Timing
Timing! It’s best to get parents to drop guests off late in the day. If kids spend too much time together, they may start bickering. Be sure also to arrange a specific pick-up time the next morning to avoid having parents drop in throughout the day. The secret is planning, preparation & being clear on […]
The Sue Atkins Guide to Sleepovers
“Should I let my child go on a sleepover?” I get asked this a lot. And frankly, it depends. I know some parents who simply make it their policy — “No sleepovers ever.” That’s ok because it’s your right to make the rules that you are comfortable with for YOUR family. In this guide I […]