It can be surprisingly tough, for both kids and parents, when it comes time to have that very first sleepover. Now, I’m not talking about the first one at grandma’s house, but the one where they are headed off to spend the night with a friend or even older cousins. Why am I talking about this when I’m not a huge fan of non-family sleepovers (that’s a story for another day)? Well, it’s because my daughter told me she wasn’t comfortable with sleepovers right now, but for different reasons than me.
Tips for their Very First Sleepover
Talking. I’m big on talking in my house.
And listening. And had I not been listening so intently that day, I might have missed it altogether.
You see, in our house, bedwetting has never been a big deal. Oh, not that it’s never happened. It has. Many times. It’s just that we have always treated like it is a normal part of growing up, which it is.
I myself didn’t know that bedwetting was something that kids cannot control, until I had a talk with my best friend one day. She is in the medical field and explained that it had to do with hormones and the brain. While potty training is completely different, bed wetting is something that must be outgrown. For some that will happen early. For others, well, that can take some time.
Having lost 3 of our 4 parents, my daughter only occasionally spends the night with extended family. We’ve never really talked about spending the night at a friend’s house. It just never came up. Until that day. You see, there was a reason my daughter never asked to spend the night somewhere – she was worried about being embarrassed. Bedwetting. The worry wasn’t that she would necessarily wet the bed – that doesn’t happen too often thanks to GoodNites® . Instead, the worry was that other kids would notice somehow that she was wearing GoodNites®. Ahhhh, I got it. I understood. It got me thinking about what we could do for her very first sleepover.
Be Available – Let them know that you will be there, in person or by phone, if they need you. While one might be tempted to head off for date night or movie time, be sure you can always be reached.
Pack Something Special – Whether it’s a special stuffed animal or blanket, make sure they know there is a little piece of home in their overnight bag. This can be kept hidden if need be too. I know my daughter has a special stuffed animal she has slept with since she was a little one. I imagine that she just might take it to college with her someday. 🙂 The one time she spent the night at her aunt’s house without it, didn’t go so well.
Prepare for Accidents – I’ve learned this lesson so many times. Whether it’s for an airplane ride, car trip, or overnight sleepover, it’s best to be prepared. Pack extra of everything.
- Pack an extra set of pajamas just in case.
- If bedwetting is still a potential issue, make sure to pack at least 2 GoodNites® for every night spent (one to start with and one to replace in the middle of the night if necessary)
- Pack a zippered plastic bag to dispose of the wet GoodNites®. Kids don’t want to be made fun of. It’s best to not leave evidence in the trash can that everyone can see in the bathroom. It’s much simpler to have them put it in the zippered plastic bag to be thrown away when they get home.
You know, I never thought of bedwetting as an obstacle to sleepovers before. Now I know and am so grateful that GoodNites® makes it easier on us all. I can easily stock up on GoodNites® at our local Walmart Neighborhood Market. I love the deals that I can find there – in special larger packs too, so that we don’t run out so soon!
I love how much smaller our local Walmart Neighborhood Market is, yet it has almost everything I could possibly need. Oh, and of course they accept coupons too!
COUPONS? Yes, coupons!
Starting August 28th, you’ll find a Goodnites Coupon and Huggies Pull-Ups Coupon and a Huggies Wipes Coupon! These will be available through September 10th!
Right now, you can find a Huggies Diapers Coupon!
So tell me, have your kids had sleepovers yet? What tips do you have?
I was a nervous wreck the first time my daughter had a sleepover, I wish I had these tips then!
I remembers ours being a little nervous for their first sleepover. Well, more excited than nervous…
Preparing for accidents is definitely important. You never know what new situations may cause.
These are great tips. When I was a little girl, I couldn’t get comfortable at sleepovers unless I knew my mom was readily available at all times.
Some great tips. I remember being so nervous to stay with friends… worried if I would wake up too early or sleep to long or what the breakfast would be.
My daughter has never been to a friend’s sleepover. She has stayed over at her cousins, but she has just gotten potty trained. I think we are a little ways off until she’s ready for a friend’s sleepover. These are great tips for when she does go to one.