Parent Responsibility

Thirdly parents, make sure that you are still accessible in case of emergency. I know that some of you view a sleepover as your opportunity to get away or unplug for the weekend. A sleepover can be just the reprieve you need to rejuvenate, but you still must be responsible.

Be sure to send alternate or emergency contact numbers (just in case your phone dies, or you find yourself in an area that doesn’t have a signal) so someone can be reached if something happens to your child.

Additionally, make sure that you send a list of your child’s allergies and medications along with the instructions on how and when to administer them. Ensuring that the host parent has this information can be the difference between a fun or tragic weekend. I also never send my children to a sleepover or anywhere for that matter without money in their pockets for incidentals.

Don’t Leave with Anything You didn’t Come With

The last thing I think parents should do to prepare their children for a sleepover has caused a great deal of curious stares from others when I talk about it. Let me first share that I have been medically diagnosed with OCD.  I am a true germaphobe.

So, parents, in addition to making sure your child packs the basics (sleeping bag, toothbrush, toothpaste, a fresh change of clothes and undergarments, and appropriate pajamas) be sure to pack a washcloth, towel, and soap from home.

Why pack a washcloth, towel and soap you ask? Surely the host has these items. Yes, the host more than likely has these items, but I still I pack these items for two reasons. The first reason being I feel it is a courtesy to the host to not leave them with an extra load of laundry to do from a house full of kids.

Related: Before you get too comfortable, things you do first after hotel check-in

The second reason (OCD Alert) is that washcloths, towels, and soap are all very personal items. I don’t use hotel towels or sleep on hotel sheets because all of the laundry is done together, and I don’t want to know any other guest that personally.

Too many different germs mixing in the wash for me. Heck, everyone in my home has their own laundry day. I don’t even mix dirty laundry with people I live with, know, and love. I am not privy to know how often or well a host does their laundry or if the host uses detergents that my children may be allergic to.

My next statement is going to really be politically incorrect but it’s #truth. I don’t know what medical conditions the host family may knowingly or unknowingly be dealing with (ringworm, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts, crab, or lice).

All I’m saying is that my norm for cleanliness is not everyone else’s norm and I make no apologies for being keenly aware of that. I’d rather be safe than sorry, so my kids are like boy scouts…always prepared.

I’ve been fortunate in that the friends my boys have had over for sleepovers have been well behaved and have pretty cool parents, so I’ve not had any issues. I, in turn, try to send my kids off the right way when they are invading someone’s home for the weekend.

BMWK parents are you preparing your children to be good weekend guests?