The secret to sleepovers that actually involve sleep
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Loading... - Chimlin Bui
- 21 Aug 2021
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The more the merrier doesn’t apply here: merrier is never a good thing when we’re talking other people’s children at 3am. For pre-teens and under, stick with one or two guests. Three or four for teens, who are (sometimes) more susceptible to reason. Be wary of hosting very young guests, even if the parents claim they’re independent and will be fine.
Agree lights-out time upfront. Accept that staying up later than normal is part of the territory (but don’t let on to the children), as is a day or two of tired crankiness afterwards, so arrange sleepovers only for weekends or school holidays.
Decide when you’d (ideally) like them to sleep, then work backwards to allow 30-45 minutes for the inevitable giggling/gossip/ghost stories in the dark. Give a couple of firm but friendly “quiet now” warnings 10 and 20 minutes before “target sleep time”.
Agree contingency plans in case of homesickness. Will parents come and rescue their offspring, or expect you to take them home because they’ve been on the prosecco all evening?
Employ rewards… and threats. For younger children, perhaps promise a morning treat left by the “sleepover fairy” if they settle down when expected. For older ones, how about a special breakfast? If there is space, set them up as far away as possible so that any incidental excitement doesn’t disturb you and get blown out of proportion by your weariness.
Tire them out, but give them ample time to calm down. Exhaust the gang with physical activities. Then elicit calm with a film/ storytelling session. Consider banning gadgets before lights out, thereby avoiding a Snapchatting all-night “awakeover”.
