My child has been invited to a first sleepover and is excited in daylight, worried at bedtime. To be honest, I'm a little nervous too. We've met the other parents and checked the arrangements. I want to give my child a way to call home if needed without framing the night as something dangerous. Did you make a simple pickup plan in advance, or does emphasizing an escape route make the anxiety worse?
Preparing a child for a first sleepover when both child and parent are nervous
- parenting
- preparing
- child
- sleepover
30
4 replies
I’d give the child a simple plan without making a big safety speech. Something like, “If you want to come home, call us and we’ll pick you u...
I’d give the child a simple plan without making a big safety speech. Something like, “If you want to come home, call us and we’ll pick you up.”
That’s what I’d do too. The goal is reassurance, not building a whole emergency exit in their head.
We did a pickup plan and kept it casual. My kid knew we were available, but we didn’t rehearse disaster scenarios over dinner.
Did you tell them in advance how to reach you, or just have the other parents text if needed? That’s the part I’m not sure about.