the sleepover party

Sleepovers - they seem to be on the 'party circuit' earlier and younger than ever. We set our minimum age older than some parents for such things - but (speaking with hindsight now, after the event!) I would not like to have steered a group of four boys, who were any younger, through any length of time together, away from their own homes.

It's also very different to a girl's sleepover party...

The first problem I thought we may have, (having only one family bathroom upstairs) was having to account for three extra bodies in the bathroom queue. I needn't have worried. All boys were in, done, and out, before I even had time to ask if anyone needed toothpaste?

Last check of the night was at 12.20 am - and thankfully, all were asleep. All four were then loudly awake by 6.40 am and ushered downstairs for a pre-breakfast dose of cartoon network, in order to give other family members chance to sleep a little longer.

The other thing that happens with numbers of three boys and more, is that they tend to cover all indoor and outdoor spaces, like a herd of wildebeest moving across the savannah - devouring all and any activities ( so have plenty on tap!) in their path - whilst earnestly grazing on everything put before them that is edible. to be honest, this part is really satisfying , and feels very 'motherhood and apple pie' feeding hungry and appreciative appetites - but it does take some keeping up with.

The bit I don't recommend, is to arrange an organised, competitive activity, requiring skill and concentration (archery!!?) in the afternoon of day 2 - but this was the only time slot available. What could I do ?

The outcome should really be no surprise - namely that we were all a bit tired and crabby, and the group, now six in number, suddenly became a little too competitive, turning in on themselves and each other, in a colourful display, ranging from tears of despair to words of venom.

It was nothing that lemonade and birthday cake couldn't rectify, once back at home, with mums arriving to scoop up their offspring. With each child smiling, and returned safely, with belongings to their respective families, there is time to reflect.

This is my take on hosting a sleepover party: It is a real privilege to welcome your child's friends into your home, and the 'host parents' should feel honoured that kids are happy to do this - I only hope they are as happy to 'hang out' at home once they are teenagers and we worry where they are and what they are doing. It is also a commitment of trust - as sleepover hosts, we take on board precious cargo, and the sense of responsibility that goes with that, should not be under-estimated.

I can honestly and gratefully say that the most difficult thing about the whole experience, was putting those damn sleeping bags back inside the container bags they came out of. This exercise has a similar difficulty rating to how I would imagine a midwife on a maternity ward, or indeed a mother just given birth, responding to the challenge 'well done, now let's put it back in, and start again...'