Ten Tips for Stress-Free Slumber Parties

Slumber parties are tons of fun for kids…but can be a big headache for parents. Child activity expert Penny Warner, author of "Slumber Parties" (Meadowbrook Press), offers the following tips for parents to host stress- free slumber parties.

1. Make sure your child is the right age for a slumber party. The ages between 8 and 14 are the most popular years to enjoy a slumber party. If a child is much younger than 8, she may not be ready to spend the night away from home, and may be a little overwhelmed by an all-night party. If a child is beyond 14, she may have been to so many slumber parties that she's grown tired of them. She'll probably prefer a more intimate party, with only a couple of good friends, rather than a whole group.

2. Plan the party appropriate to your child's age. For kids 8-12 years old, try an Arty Party where the guests get messy while they get creative; a Fifties Sock Hop for rock-and-roll dance party; a Friends Forever Party to celebrate friendship; an Indoor Camp where you sleep under the ceiling stars; a Karaoke Party to sing- along with pop songs; a Silly Olympics Party where everyone wins a medal; or a Toon Town party where your favorite characters come alive. For kids 10-14 years, host a Comedy Club party where you make jokes and have a lot of laughs; a Creative Kitchen party for cooking up some fun; a Deejay Dance Party to dance your pants off; a Miracle Makeover party for a new look in the mirror; a Mystery Mansion party to put a little scare in your slumber; and a Secret Séance party to chat with "dead people."

3. Don't mix boys and girls at the same slumber party. Most young girls and boys want to relax at a party and prefer to be with their own gender. If the opposite sex is around, they may not feel as comfortable. Besides, girls like to do girl things, boys like to do boy things, so it makes for an easier party if you keep the genders separate. If you must invite the opposite sex, have them for the evening, then send them home at bedtime.

4. Keep the kids busy to keep them out of trouble. Make sure there's lot for the kids to do throughout the evening. Over plan the games and activities, and have back-ups ready in case some of the activities finish quickly. That way the kids aren't as apt to think up pranks and get into trouble. And have lots of videos on hand so there's something to do when the games and activities wind down.

5. Keep the snacks coming to prevent growling tummies. Feed the guests healthy snacks as well as sweet treats, so they don't get too wired, or have stomachaches from overeating junk food. Let the kids make some of their own snacks, so they have something fun to do. Be sure to supervise the cooking, for safety reasons.

6. Know your place at the party to avoid embarrassment to your child. Make sure all the kids know you're there, but that you plan to stay out of sight as much as possible – if there's no trouble. Tell them they can come to you if they need help, or if there are any problems. Offer to make some snacks from time to time, which gives you a chance to check on them. Otherwise, stay out of sight and let them enjoy their night of independence.

7. Get the kids to sleep with a slumber party secret – videos! Start showing them around midnight when the kids should be ready to settle down. Once they get hooked on the story, they're more likely to scoot into their sleeping bags, watch the movie, and nod off to sleep. If all else fails, come out in your funniest pajamas and threaten to sleep with them if they don't quiet down!

8. Set the starting and ending time for your slumber party so it doesn't seem to last forever. Start the party on the later side, so it doesn't make for such a long evening. After dinner is best, so you don't have to cook so much, but have plenty of snacks on hand to get them through the night. Depending on the age, start the party around 8 p.m. for younger kids, and 9 or 10 p.m. for older kids. Set a specific pick-up time so the party ends on time and parents are there to pick them up. You may have to wake up the kids if you want them out early, but make them a healthy breakfast to get them going before you send them on their way. They can always take a nap at home if they're still sleepy.

9. Set the rules and go over them when the party starts. Let the kids know your boundaries, and that you plan to enforce them. Basic rules should include: no leaving the house, no crank calls, no mean pranks, no cooking without adult supervision, and no fighting. If anyone causes trouble, threaten to send her home.

Courtesy of FeatureSource