Sleepovers. Are You and Your Child Ready?

Having children means sleepovers at some point. Here are some pointers for helping your child with the big night!

This is a big night, for you and your child. Chances are your little one is extremely excited about sleeping , for the first time, away from home. You, are perhaps not quite as excited. This article will assist you in preparing your child for the first night ever, he won’t sleep in his own bed. Who are we fooling? Preparation for the first sleep-over is for mom and dad. The more prepared we feel our children are, will help us sleep in our own beds while they are away.

The first step in preparation for an away, all night, play date, is; the certainty that your child is age appropriate. Different children are ready at different times. You know your child better than anyone. Just because his friends are ready, and may have previously experienced a night away from their parents, does not mean that your son is ready. Do not allow him to sleep away from home until you are certain he can handle being away. You may be saving him from ridicule, if he breaks down, wanting to go home. “A big boy who is homesick for mommy”, can quickly become a target for ruthless kids. Use your better judgment. (Don’t use this excuse, if it is really you who can not handle his being away.)
Perhaps second to being certain of your child’s readiness is; How well you know the parents, in whose charge he will be, for the overnight hours. Don’t allow your child to stay at the home of an acquaintance. Of course you do not wish to offend the inviting parent, but kibitzing on the sidelines of your son’s soccer game, does not obligate you to turn him over to a stranger’s care. Essentially, this is what the inviting parent is, since you do not have a personal relationship.
Now that you are confident of your child’s readiness, and are well within your comfort zone, concerning the inviting parents, you may turn your attention to preparing your child. The chances are you have been preparing him for this moment for a long time. You have taught him right from wrong, and how to behave as a visitor. No doubt you have given him age appropriate talk about stranger danger. You’ve taught him it is o.k. to say ‘no’ to an activity that makes him feel uncomfortable. He knows his telephone number, and that you are available to him no matter what time it is. With a brief review of good manners in hand, he is prepared.

Are you?