10 RULES FOR A SUCCESSFUL SLEEPOVER

Sleepovers are quite different than slumber parties, which are to be avoided at all costs if you value peace, quiet, and a bit of sleep at night. Sleepovers, at least with nice kids (and you don’t let the non-nice ones come) can be quite pleasant, actually, so long as you follow the rules:

1 If your kid shares a room, don’t make (or even allow) the sibling share the sleepover. Put the sleepover kids in sleeping bags in the family room. The sleepover contingent won’t want to include the sibling. And there’s no reason to force the issue (or the sibling) it’s not his or her sleepover.

2 Plan an alternate activity for the left-out sibling. If you can arrange a playdate or sleepover for him, too, great! If not, plan an evening’s activity such as a family movie, that will keep him with you, out of the way of the sleepover kids.

3 Plan ahead. Give your child some good host guidelines before the guests arrive, such as whether or not TV is okay, how long they can watch, and an appropriate lights-out time. (You’ll notice I didn’t say bedtime. We have lots of sleepovers at my house.) Remind your kid that solitary pursuits, such as computer games, prevent interaction instead of encouraging it. Suggest board games or outdoor play instead.

4 Give first-time guests a lay-of-the-land home tour. You don’t want a 3 a.m. visitor in search of the bathroom.

5 Make sure guests know your house rules and follow them. This should include notice as to where in the home (such as Mom and/or Dad’s room) is off limits to visitors.

6 Make contact with the parents. You’ll need to know where to reach them (cell phones, restaurant number) that evening, overnight, and in the morning. Find out if the child has any food or pet allergies you should be aware of. If you’re planning a movie night, ask what rating of film the child is permitted to view. Set a pick-up time now. Clear any plans you have to go out and leave the kids with a babysitter with the guests parents before they drop her off.

7 Keep the parent’s phone numbers handy.

8 Stay within earshot of the kids.

9 Let the kids know when you’re going to bed and that you expect them to dial down the activity accordingly. This is the time to reconfirm your previously chosen lights-out time.

10 Prepare a really cool—or hot—treat. Bake gooey chocolate-chunk cookies or order an extra-cheesy pizza. Do whatever it takes to make your home the place kids want to go for serious fun.