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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Considering a mass sleepover!!

126 replies

2anddone · 16/02/2017 12:52

Ds does Year 6 SATs this year and I am considering an end of SATs party for his year group.
It would be a sleepover in the village hall from 6.30 until 9.30 the next morning and would include pizza tea and breakfast the next morning.
It's not his birthday or anywhere near his birthday and the majority of parents/ children in the year are incredibly close having known each other almost their entire lives!!
I was thinking of asking for a contribution of £5 per child to cover tea/breakfast/snacks/hall hire.. it wouldn't cover the entire cost but would help.
I know I (and a couple of parents who have agreed to stay) would get no sleep and it would basically be an up all night playing games, watching movies and generally being loud and having fun.
So you lovely people of mumsnet AIBU to even consider a mass sleepover, should I stick to just 8 in my front room and cater/entertain out of my own pocket?? crosses fingers and hopes there is not too much flaming!

OP posts:
UnexplainedOnHerCollar · 16/02/2017 19:43

Oh I would have been so excited to do this as a child! As a parent, I would be fine about the money. Though if there's anyone who you suspect couldn't afford it I'd try to find a way to leave them out of the charge.

My tip though would be if you know anyone who's a teacher or other group leader (unless you are one yourself), ask them to join you as a favour. People who are skilled and experienced at controlling / calming down a big group of kids are v v valuable in these situations. A friend's DH had to take control at a massive kids' party that went a bit haywire, and I was v impressed to see that done (without getting cross or anything).

Fresta · 16/02/2017 20:01

Our school does regular sleepovers to raise money for funds. They watch a movie on the interactive whiteboard, have pizza, they all bring their sleeping bag and sleep on the hall floor on airbeds or PE mats. Usually a whole class. They charge about £10 per child. Cheaper than a babysitter. BTW- teachers staff it so parents get a night off. They did it as a treat after SATs in Y6 as well.

Catanddogmake6 · 16/02/2017 20:03

Another idea for ice breaker/ party gift would be to bulk buy very cheap plain t shirts. You can then give them fabric pens and let them decorate/ sign each other's. If you have a class photo and time you can also buy transfer paper that you print on and then iron on. Another mum did it for leavers and the girls all enjoyed making plus it was something tangible to keep.

MaureenMLove · 16/02/2017 20:03

So, I would canvass opinion from the other parents as soon as possible. Send a pile of notes in to school, like you would party invites and either get DS to put them in book bags or ask the teacher to hand one to each child on the way out. Whatever way it's done at your school.

Explain what your idea is and set out basically what you plan to do with them. Say that there'll be a charge of £10 and that will include food, drink and possibly a small gift for each child. Also ask if anyone has any contacts for anything that might make the evening go well.

I'm excited for you! I'd love to be organising something big like this! It's my favourite thing! I have nothing to organise on a grand scale this year (did our 25th anniversary bash and DDs 21 last year). Next year I'm 50 27 though, so I plan to go big! Grin

Catanddogmake6 · 16/02/2017 20:04

Also don't forget to budget breakfast even if it's a big bag of croissants and cartons of juice plus a vat of coffee for the adults.

purpleshortcake · 16/02/2017 20:06

Sorry if already been mentioned but check hall Insurance covers overnight stays as I'm not sure it does...

bunnylove99 · 16/02/2017 20:10

What a good idea OP. That sounds like a great night for the boys. They will remember it for ever. You sound like a fun mum.

Original poster
2anddone · 16/02/2017 21:06

Thank you everyone, and thank you for being so kind I was worried it could come across as a really rude and cheeky request to ask for contributions!

OP posts:
SlummyMummyof3 · 16/02/2017 21:09

I organised a party for my DS's class a few weeks after their First Holy Communion last year. I looked at a few options but in the end did the same as the previous year group which was a swimming party. We hired the local pool out and invited everyone plus siblings as long as they had the required adults to go into the pool too. I then made a list of who to bring what food, I supplied the drinks from a trip to Costco. It ended up costing £7 per family for the pool, fruit shoots, water bottles, serviettes and disposable plates. People then brought food as per the list. I was a bit stressed out but at least it was all going on out of the house plus I was far too busy organising the food to go in the pool (that was my excuse and I stuck to it!) Anyway, it was relatively easy, kids had a ball, all mess was dealt with quickly and easily and within a couple of hours the job was done!

Just a suggestion x

harderandharder2breathe · 16/02/2017 21:12

Not cheeky at all! If any parents begrudge a tenner for an overnight party then they're the cheeky ones.

At Guides I always put a sentence in asking parents to speak to me in confidence if financial issues are stopping their daughter participating in trips. I'm not sure in your situation if parents would want to speak to another parent about struggling financially though so that's the tricky part and I don't have a magic answer. Because while you need to cover costs you don't want anyone to be left out because their parents genuinely can't afford it

ColourfulOrangex · 16/02/2017 21:26

Do it! We had one of these when I was at school and it was possibly the most fun we had all had Grin

Funnyfarmer · 16/02/2017 22:53

Think it sounds great! What a lovely chidhood memory that would be to have. When my dd left her nursery to start school a while after one of the mums arranged a reunion party for the kids and parents she organised the whole thing hot and cold food for kids and adults entertainment venue. She sold tickets to those who wanted to come. Nobody found it cheeky she'd asked for money for the party as it wasn't her dc's party it was a party for everyone so don't be afraid to ask parents to cover costs. If you've managed to rope in a few parents to help you should be fine get some earplugs and do shifts so everyone gets a few hours kip.don't think your bonkers. Think your marvellous

glitterazi · 16/02/2017 23:39

Can't see anyone quibbling over the price. A fiver for overnight childcare? That's a bargain.
Leaving your children overnight with both completely unchecked parents and helpers you don't really know, though?
Totally different. I wouldn't be comfortable with it.

Tessabelle74 · 16/02/2017 23:40

Sounds great fun, I wonder if I could persuade someone to organise one when the time comes (and get them to take siblings too Hmm) I think a fiver is more than reasonable and not cheeky in the slightest

glitterazi · 16/02/2017 23:42

Our school does regular sleepovers to raise money for funds. They watch a movie on the interactive whiteboard, have pizza, they all bring their sleeping bag and sleep on the hall floor on airbeds or PE mats. Usually a whole class

See, I'd see that as different, and send my kids to that as sounds lovely. School all checked.Parents you've never met before a bit different to schools arranging one though.

MacTweedy · 17/02/2017 04:52

Glitter, the OP said she's dbs checked and that the parents all know each other as there's only 26 in the year.

Tessabelle74 · 17/02/2017 07:09

@glitterazi by year 6 you pretty much know the parents of your children's peers. My daughter is in year 4 and I know them enough to know if I'd trust them with my child over night!

user1477282676 · 17/02/2017 07:15

Great idea! They will remember it for many years to come.

RainbowsAndUnicorn · 17/02/2017 07:22

It sounds fun and very doable.

If you are organising as a school event, fine to charge. If a private party for your son, then as host you should pay as bad manners to issue an invite and then charge.

arrrrghhwinehelpswithteens · 17/02/2017 09:21

Go for it! NRTWT but I agree on upping the charge & left over to charity (or a local cause / the school for something in the name of the year group).

We did a Prom for my DD's year group but again it was a large group.

Good luck and hope your DC enjoy it

RevealTheHiddenBeach · 17/02/2017 13:20

sounds absolutely amazing. Love the Tshirt idea from a PP as well!

Pizzas sound great. I don't think you'll need that many sweets, as I imagine most kids will bring something! Maybe if it was "£5 plus something sweet to share" that would mean a more accurate covering of your costs?

I know it's a long way away but please let us know how it goes!

BigSandyBalls2015 · 17/02/2017 13:22

Glitter, does your child not do any sleepovers then?

These are year 6 kids - next year they'll be off out with all sorts of new friends at secondary school, and wanting sleepovers - you won't have met their families at all.

Parker231 · 17/02/2017 13:30

My DT's went on a similar sleepover but it was camping and organized by some of the dads. From memory all the children (about 25 of them) had a great time, ate pizza, drank too much Coke and were very noisy! The dads got no sleep -DH looked dreadful when he came home !

mouldycheesefan · 17/02/2017 13:34

Glitter, read the thread, all the helpers are dbs checked.

Twistmeandturnme · 17/02/2017 13:54

@MaureenMLove

Loving to organise this kind of thing and wishing you had more chance? Consider Girlguiding Grin. We need more people like you! You sound like you'd be a very enthusiastic Brown Owl!