Taking the mayhem out of a slumber party
Here’s a terrifying birthday party idea: A dozen six- to seven-year old girls, all hyped up on sugar and adrenaline, spending the night in your home. Sleep seems unlikely. Disorder seems probable. And homesickness? Inevitable.
But Becky Dosse managed to combine the excitement of a sleepover with the wisdom of a short party when her daughter Isabel turned seven this year. Eleven girls arrived at 5:00 for crafts and dinner, watched a movie in their pajamas, and were out the door and on the way to their own beds by 9:00.
Becky called the party a “sleep under”, and she said it’s the new trend in her neighborhood. “It takes the fear out of it,” she said. “They still have a great time but they don’t have to stay over.”
Isabel had been on “sleep under” play dates with her friends and had a great time, Becky said, so why not try hosting one of her own?
The sleep under party was a huge success. The guests brought their own dolls, pajamas, and sleeping bags. They all had great fun setting up their own “sleeping” spaces around the living room, despite that that they would do no sleeping there at all.
And before they could get too homesick, their parents were there to pick them up.
For Becky, the beauty of this party was its simplicity. “Some birthday parties are getting so expensive and crazy,” she said.
There was nothing too big, fancy, or expensive about this party — the girls ate pizza, decorated foam flip-flops, and watched a movie together. And it was a huge hit.
So the next time your little one’s birthday comes around, consider this easy solution to the challenges of a slumber party. But make sure your guests still bring their pajamas.
