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Sleep-overs are fantastic social experiences for kids - but not so much fun for adults sometimes. Here's how to make you child's sleepover as stress-free as possible:

DO:

1. Have a set-guest list, restricting the kids there to a small number.

2. Have another adult there in case of emergency - if one child has to go to the emergency room then you don't want to have to take all of them there.

3. Have each child's name in a book and get their parents to write in the book in advance with full details of any food allergies or intolerances, medical problems, tendency toward night-time accidents, an emergency contact number plus any hints and tips (for example favourite foods, child psychology that works on that child if you need to discipline them etc.)

4. Check with their parents if the child is usually OK away from home. If not, or if it is the child's first time away from home, then ask them to be on-hand to collect their child if he/she really gets upset and homesick. Even better, you may want to invite that parent to help out with the slumber party as a damage limitation exercise.

5. Have the kids dropped off in their night-clothes, and designate a room with a television in as the sleeping area. Set up the sleeping bags in there at the start of the night then leave that room and have the games in another room. Trying to get your own children into their bedclothes is bad enough, trying to get several children ready for bed is a recipe for stress!

6. Consider having the sleep-room next to the bathroom - this may mean moving the television (you'll need this just before bedtime!) but it will save children getting lost and stressed, and potentially having an accident, in the night if they need the toilet. Show all the kids where the toilet is as soon as they arrive, and again before bedtime. At regular points in the evening, say you are going to the toilet and ask who else wants to come - you'd be surprised what a big deal going to the toilet in a stranger's house can be for a small child, so having an adult to walk them there and wait outside while they go can be a huge comfort.

7. Have energetic games earlier in the evening, then have a story-telling session to calm them down.

8. Then, at the time you want them in bed, say "hey! shall we go and watch a movie!" and take them into the bedroom, having them all sitting in their sleeping bags with a small cup of warm milk and cookies. Reduce the lighting to a night-light, remind them all where the toilet is before the film begins

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