Advice needed toddler sleepover at Grandparents

[coatandwellies]

My DD is due to have her second baby soon and in preparation for this, we've decided among us that it would be a good idea to get DGD used to sleeping over at our house (Grandparents) for when DD goes into labour etc.

We look after out DGD (22 months) two days a week whilst her parents work so she's used to being here and napping. She loves her time here and has her own toys etc.

Now the date for the first sleepover is approaching, I'm getting a bit nervous about how she'll be. Can anyone share their experiences of first sleepovers? Is there anything you would recommend? I know I'm probably being overly worried about this but the thought of her being distressed in anyway fills be with dread. Her parents appear relaxed about it all and thinks she'll be absolutely fine. TIA

Sounds lovely already 😊

I don't have any tips really, but DS loves nothing more than a sleepover with his grandad (and great grandma!) - he's been there many, many times since that kind of age and they have never had any tears - when I go pick him up I get begged to go away again 😂 Just wanted to share it's not guaranteed to go wrong some way!

My DC stayed over with my parents from when they were a few months old and loved doing it. Have a lovely time.

Mine love sleeping at grandparents and have since around that age. We lived abroad when they were small so it wasn’t a regular thing at all, but they had no issues. Usually they didn’t want to go home!

I think my parents try and follow our normal routine, but also make it a bit more special. So normally my kids at that age would get one book read and into bed at home, my dad would read 3, and then all the teddies would be arranged etc.

If she’s used to spending 2 days a week with you and napping at your house then I think she’ll be just fine. And if she’s not, then surely this is the point of having a practice stay before the new baby arrives, you can still call her parents and have a chat over the best options if she’s really struggling to settle

Thank you all for your replies.

It seems that I am overthinking! I just have in the back of my mind that if she doesn't like the sleepover and becomes upset, this will somehow affect our lovely relationship and tarnish the fun two days we spend together each week. Time will tell I guess.

You sound so lovely!

My DS started having sleepovers with his DGF from about that age and he always slept really well. He slept particularly well if he had a little sleeping bag. He loved it all! My DF would make cowboy pie (sausages, mash and beans) as it was their thing, watch cartoons and then bath and bed.

As a nana of 8 and ex childminder, I totally get you!!!
I used to worry that they’d settle and be upset, but I was their Nana/childminder and they knew they were loved.
they all adapted amazingly well and still love coming for sleepovers, especially our 14 year old GS who was the one we worried about the most!!
He stays up with Papa and they watch Gogglesprogs, Squid games or make cars out of Lego.
It’s a special bond and Ive no doubt you’ll absolutely love having her to stay x x x

Do you have space for mum and dad to stay over for the first night if you're worried?

Does she know where she'll be sleeping and is she really familiar/comfortable in that room? Has she napped there in the day for example? If so then you're winning, if not then maybe spend some good time in there playing, letting her put her teddies on her bed etc so she feels really safe and cosy there, then go away for dinner / whatever and by the time it's bedtime she'll be coming back to what already feels like her room.
Stories and cosy chatter and emulate whatever sleep routine she has at home.
If she struggles just go and read your book quietly in there till she falls asleep ☺️

If she naps there she'll be totally fine! My son is a similar age and can understand 'sleep at daddy house! See mummy in the morning'
And then he starts talking about the toys he has at his dads house so
I know he understands

Some of the best memories I have are of sleeping over my Nan's.

Thank you so much for your reply.

Yes, she does have her own bedroom here as I provide childcare for 2 days a week (10 hours each day) so she's used to having her 2 hours post lunch nap here. My worry is, she has never spent an evening here with her whole bedtime routine. I know I'm worrying unnecessarily.

Yes, we have space but we thought we should just go straight in with a sleepover. It will also give her parents a much needed lie in (DGD is awake at 5am every morning. I am too so all good there!) and rest in their own bed before baby no. 2 arrives.