How to Survive a Sleepover
You may dread the thought of hosting a sleepover for your child, as this means you’re responsible for several other children and you miss out on a good night’s sleep.
But if you live in fear of the day your child asks if they can have their friends stay for the night, don’t worry because it is possible to plan a stress-free sleepover, where you get maximum sleep, minimum stress and the children have no dramas -but with all the fun left in. Everyone remembers their first sleepover, an exciting time of never-ending play and chatting, but not only are these fun, they also have many benefits for children;
- Sleepovers help to boost independence – Parents should build up chunks of independence that enable children to manage without them for short stretches of time. Sleepovers also teach new skills, such as packing clothes, getting ready for bed without mum and dad being around and help to overcome separate anxiety.
- Experts agree that whilst children are at a sleepover, they are forced to do things for themselves – whether it’s asking for a drink or figuring out where the bathroom is, this aids personal development.
- Children are able to strengthen bonds and make new friends – the excitement of a nighttime spent together makes this bonding more intimate.
If sleepovers feel like an unorganized, chaotic experience, you aren’t going to want to host them. But think of it this way, if you can host a successful sleepover, then other parents will do the same and you’ll get a night of rest away with the kids away in return. So really, it’s rewarding for both the kids and for you!
Mattress Online have created this guide to ensure that you can survive a sleepover.
