Sleepovers: How to Make Them Work, Without the Angst
Written By: Ambreia Meadows - Fernandez
Family sleepovers were one of my favorite parts of childhood. I'll never forget the anticipatory joy of asking my mom if I could "spinnanight" at my grandparents' house. And often, a cousin or two would join in and increase the trouble, laughter, and memories. I hate that our crew doesn't live closer to relatives so our children can share the experience of cousin-filled sleepovers. But we've found ways to take the best parts of the family sleepovers and pass them to the next generation.
While many parents are a bit apprehensive about allowing their children to spend the night away, and rightfully so, there are some ways decrease the discomforts that create concern. Everyone does not run their households the same, so everything from habits to unsupervised activities pose their own threats to a parent’s peace. Here some ways to enjoy sleepovers and also place boundaries around the experience.
We’re all going!
Just as much as we want our children to have fun with their family and friends, sleepovers should be reserved for the most vetted and safe spaces. So much so, consider having a family sleepover. This is the perfect way for parents and children to have the fun together, but while ensuring things are monitored. Maybe a family staycation with extended family members, or friends. Consider the parents renting out an Airbnb for the children to accommodate all. By doing this, the parents not only get to bond while the children bond, but the responsibility load of watching and providing for the children can be shared. As well as, bonus points for the parents getting an opportunity to relive the nostalgia of their glory days of fun-filled sleepovers while creating new core memories.
Prep with your favorite childhood snacks.
Remember the food or snack you looked forward to during family sleepovers? Yes! That one. Introduce your children to the popular candies and foods that were popular back then but phased out of style. (Like spam, YUCK!) It will show our children that we didn't always have gourmet meals, but we used what we had to make enough to feed everyone. It's also a chance to pass your favorite meal traditions to your children and explain the stories behind the dishes. (Or make fun of that aunt who always burned the nachos.)
Bond over childhood classics.
What's a family sleepover without revisiting the childhood classics or, even better, a movie marathon?! Switch it up by introducing your children to the movies you watched at their age AND asking if they want to add their favorite movies to the list. But Don't just watch the movies. Each scene offers an opportunity to explain pop culture references, jokes, and fashion. Moments of conflict can open the door to discussing the challenges we face in everyday life. (Bonus points if you can do this on a VHS or DVD player!)
Assemble the comforters and have conversations.
My favorite part of sleepovers with cousins was staying up all night talking about life. Although our relationship with our kids is different, there's still a chance to talk and bond. Grab a bunch of comforters—or an airbed if you're fancy—and add them to the living room for an authentic sleepover vibe. To make the experience especially memorable, you can search Pinterest for great ideas.
Involve your loved ones.
Many of us have moved too far from our loved ones to host an impromptu sleepover. But video calls and streaming service watch parties help us connect with extended family regardless of distance. A family conference call can help the children see pictures and hear first-hand stories from the original sleepover crew. But the real joy is knowing they can make memories with their loved ones, even if things have changed!
Take lots of pictures. One day, they'll share these stories with their own families.