How to Help Your Child Have a Successful Sleepover #parenting #kids #sleepover #camp #homesickness #summercamp

Sleepovers are a rite of passage for older kids, but they can be a nightmare for parents and children if things go wrong.

Here’s how to help your child have a successful sleepover.



Whether you are having your kid’s friends to your house or your children are spending nights away from home, there are various issues that may become an issue during a sleepover.

Friendship issues and missing mum and dad are the biggest reasons for problems during sleepovers, while kids may also be worried about bedwetting and other problems.

But follow our guidelines to help your child have a successful sleepover.



How to Help Your Child Have a Successful Sleepover

When You Host the Sleepover:

If you are hosting a sleepover follow these trips to make it a success:

1. Go Over the Guidelines

Let your child’s guests know they should treat your home just as they would treat their own.

Develop a list of rules to make sure the sleepover goes smoothly.

Talk to the other parents in advance to find out if there is anything you need to know such as allergies, or any worries the other children may have.



2. Provide Yummy Food

Make it a party by providing some delicious snacks for the kids.

Set up a make-your-own-pizza station with toppings for the kids to choose from.

If the sleepover is for a birthday, celebrate with a decorate-your-own-birthday-cupcake station too.



3. Make It Memorable

You could also supply some activities for the kids to do such as setting up a fun scavenger hunt.

Or you could help the kids record memories of the sleepover by letting them decorate their own picture frames or scrapbooks.

If you don’t own a Polaroid camera, take digital photos and offer to e-mail them to the parents to print and place in the frames afterward.



When Your Kids are Sleeping Away from Home:

If you are sending your kids away to camp or they are going to a sleepover at a friend’s house you will need to make sure they are ready and happy to go.

Here’s how:

1. Pack an Overnight Bag

Taking some familiar things from home will help your child to settle.

Be sure to include their favourite comfy pyjamas, a pillow, a cozy sleeping bag and their favourite cuddly companion, of course.

You could also add some glow sticks or a flashlight in case your child is afraid of the dark in an unfamiliar place.

If they are going to camp, they could also take some fun items such as a fun card game, activity books, craft supplies or a board game everyone can play.

Some favourite snacks to share would be a good idea too.



2. Prepare for Homesickness

Talk to your child about the possibility of homesickness.

Let your child know that you will miss them but try not to overemphasize this as it may make him nervous.

Let your child know it is all right to miss home and that he or she can always talk about his or her feelings.

Have a plan for your child to be able to contact you if they need to.



3. Talk to the Other Parents or Camp Counsellors

Talk to the other child’s parents or other responsible adults like counsellors if your child is going to summer camp.

If he has worries or fears or sometimes experiences bedwetting, let them know.


With a little advance planning and some open conversation with your child you can prepare them for a sleepover, either in their own home or away from home.

This way your child can have a successful sleepover and have a great time with their friends.


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