On Tues. night AAP had a friend spend the night. I had one of those "aha" parenting moments. I remember being a kid and I would ask my parents if I could have someone spend the night. Most times they would say yes, but of course there were times when they said no as well. I never understood this. To me it seemed like they would have an easier night because I would be "entertained" and wouldn't need much of their attention. Nevertheless they had nights when they said no and I just NEVER got it. Even as a parent I didn't get it until this week. There were times when AAP would ask to have a friend spend the night and TW would say no and I didn't get it. Well, NOW I get it. I can't wait to tell my mom! Now, let me share that the girls were not bad instead they were just being girls. Instead it was my mood that wasn't ready to deal with the night. I think they still had fun, Mistican let us know on that because it was her daughter who stayed the night, even though I wasn't prepared for the evening. In light of it all the girls were cute and had fun together, it brought back memories for me. My Thursday Thirteen is: Thirteen Reasons I had my "aha" moment that there are some nights that are better for sleepovers than others.
1. The youngest, AKP, felt left out at times and wanted to be part of the fun.
2. TW helped them build a fort that was definitely cool, but all I saw it as was a big mess to clean up.
3. Once the fort was up we couldn't get to any of their clothes for PJs etc. (Yes, I know it seems minor but for some reason it annoyed me...probably my PMS)
4. Bedtime is always difficult at a sleepover because they don't want the fun to end.
5. Bedtime was more difficult because they were in the fort.
6. AAP didn't want her lil sis to sleep with them. TW didn't stand for that. So, she was included.
7. After several attempts of trying to get them to fall asleep and then one of them coming downstairs for one thing or another, I went up and laid in the fort with them until they were asleep.
8. AKP came down to our room at 3:30 to sleep on the floor.
9. She didn't have a blanket, they were all being used for the fort, so I had to go upstairs to get her a blanket.
10. While in the room getting the blanket I saw AAP and her friend awake, I know AAP woke up the friend because she looked half asleep still, and AAP was playing gameboy.
11. AAP and her friend couldn't get back to sleep.
12. AAP and her friend came down to our room to sleep on the floor. AAP woke up TW by talking...not a good person to wake up in the middle of the night. GRRR. :)
13. They woke up at 6:45am
So, needless to say. It was a lot of work on me. Again, they weren't bad...just being girls. But from now on before a sleepover I will have to check my attitude and willingness to use the extra energy. I hope this doesn't scare some of you off from letting your kid stay at my house. :) However, I learned my lesson that sleepovers can be a lot of work on the parents.
9 comments:
Well, that makes two of us. I felt like such a scrooge because the first thing I thought when I saw the pics of the sleepover was, "what a daunting task to launder, fold and put away ALL of those blankets!" Sheesh! And I wouldn't hesitate a second to let PAS come to your house...you're a great mom!!!
Lindsey
Whew! I'm exhausted just from reading all that! Thanks for the tips -- my 'tude definitely ALWAYS needs to be in check anytime my kids want to do something adventurous! Unfortunately it's the name of the game. Good for you for realizing all that!
Happy Thursday!
Sounds like a fun sleep over:)
I know what you mean. I have all boys, and at times it's great fun when they have friends over, but other times it sets me on edge.
Having the right attitude means a lot for a sleep over!
I don't mind when the girls have sleepovers...it's the boys that usually get to me. I know what you mean about having to be mentally prepared!!!!
I know the girls had fun! I felt the same way Monday night when my cousin's four girls stayed over! What am I doing....I just want to go to sleep! But these are the things that kids remember growing up. I know I do! I think I remember every all nighter that I had as a kiddo!
Ha - my thoughts would have been the same. I would have been happy for the giggling and how happy it made the kids, but I would have wondered who let them have the blankets and if that person was going to help clean, fold and put them away. Still - the fun is always worth it.
My thoughts would have been the same. Since most of our blankets are stored even above my own head I would have wanted to know if the tall person who gave them the blankets was going to help clean, fold and put them all away. However, the giggling and fun having would have been worth it.
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