Sleeping over is when one spends a night at a friend’s or colleague’s house. A slumber party may also be likened to this but only differs because many people are involved.
A lock-in also involves multiple persons but differs in the sense that it is carried out in a setting rather than a private home such a setting could be a church or a school.
It is worth noting that in the above-mentioned, sleeping over is usually carried out by children or young ones with the sole purpose of reuniting and having fun.
Sleepovers entail having the participants spend the night together. However, this may warrant having some precautionary measures readily available that are not necessarily needed in a get-together.
Sleepovers refer to long periods without an adult in an enclosed area while other children are available.
They normally require a certain level of Independence. Sleepover parties are usually organized for children preparing to assert some level of adulthood.
Reasons Why Sleepovers Are Important for Children
It Helps Children Encounter New Experiences
Sleepovers bring children new experiences. They experience new cultural ways of living, eat different varieties of food, and relate to people with different habits.
Although many children may feel very uncomfortable with it, it won’t last until the moment they definitely experience it.
During sleepovers, many children can be violent, but the parent or guardian must be able to manage this amicably to avoid circumstances beyond their control.
Sleepovers help children achieve that level of independence. However, sleepovers can sometimes be difficult, especially for children who are used to their siblings and parents and children who haven’t done them before.
It Helps the Kids Achieve Some Level of Independence
There is nothing like your child’s first residential trip to show up with kids who have experienced sleepovers and those who have not experienced it.
Obviously, the ones who have not experienced sleepovers will always become afraid because they are used to sleeping around their parents.
However, sleepovers should be encouraged among parents to help the kids build some level of independence, which will enable our children to strive even in our absence.
Sleepovers in a secure and conducive environment are good examples of how this could be achieved. Sleepovers can also impact positive behavioral patterns in the child.
For instance, the child learns to arrange his clothes properly and pick the appropriate clothing for bedtime, learns table manners he might probably ignore at home, learns communication ethics, and how to create boundaries.
It also enables the child to overcome the anxiety and pressure of not having his parents around.
It Enables Children to Build Great Relationships
Sleepovers can be a fearful time for bonding relationships, especially for growing-up kids. However, they are also likely to make and build great relationships.
This will certainly occur, especially if they mix up with other children from different homes and backgrounds.
Of course, this could also be achievable at schools and clubs during holidays, but sleepovers bring a more intimate bond and connection than those aforementioned.
Children Learn on Modest Ways to Behave in Someone Else’s House
Every home has its do’s and don’ts and rules and regulations. However, sleepovers allow the children to learn that social boundaries can sometimes be different and how they can easily adjust to enable them to adapt.
Sometimes, their friends’ parents can be stricter than their own or vice versa. Sleepovers will enable them to make adjustments in these cases.
Tanith Carey, author of Mum Hacks: Time-saving Tips to Calm Family Life, says being upfront can smooth the transition of children staying at your house.
Clearly state the rules regarding when their books, toys, and electronic devices will be collected. Work out the rules in agreement with your kids so they know what you expect from them and their friends.
State where children can play, the restricted zone, and the number of snacks they can consume daily. This will enable the visiting children to stay coordinated.
Sleepovers Bring Excitement and Joy to Children
children sometimes need so much fun and joy, and it is, however, well noted that sleepovers bring that desired joy, especially when it involves many children.
The parent whose home the sleepover is taking place can make a little variety of dishes for the kids, not forgetting to add some snacks that the children enjoy eating.
She can organize intelligent games for the children to make it merrier. These could include truth or dare, spelling competitions, eating competitions, etc.
How to Reduce Sleepover Anxiety?
- Decorate your children’s room with beautiful lights and flowers: You can design the room with Christmas lights and flowers. This will attract the children to the room and put off the fears of sleeping over, especially for the fearful children who are normally scared of sleeping in the dark.
- Bedtime should be early: overtiredness can sometimes bring about fears and worries among children. Factor in the talk time for children once they are in bed and make the atmosphere as conducive as possible. Also, avoid getting crossed to decrease the nerves of the visiting child.
- Reassure the children of your availability: Show them where your room is situated and promise them your availability when needed. They should feel that you are there to attend to their needs anytime.
- Ensure your children have a comforter: If toys are not very cool, you can offer them something cool enough to make them feel comfortable and save a shirt with your smell or their favorite through the pillow.
References;
- Judith Ancer, sleepovers need not be nightmares” The Sunday Times (South Africa) June 10, 2012”.
- Edward Elved, sleepovers a rite of passage of kids” Chicago Tribune August 12, 2005
- Barbara F. Meltz” The sleep over a rite of passage” Boston Globe, October 13, 1994.
- Peter Annenin, “Slumbering Around” Newsweek, November 4, 1996, via Questia
