So if we are having a sleepover for DS1's 8th birthday party...

[fridayschild]

what advice would you give me?! Other than "don't do it"

The date for the sleepover will be a Saturday night towards the end of the Easter holidays - they are back at school on the Tuesday.

DS1 would like to invite his two best friends, two other friends and the little brother of one of the best friends so DS2 will have someone to play with. This gives me 7 boys aged between 6 and 8 in the house, and I am a single mum. Hopefully some of them will be away still!

I am thinking they will be too excited to eat, so snack type foods to keep them going, and birthday cake. A bit of charging around the house, some games on the pc (no X-Box or Wii here), some dvds and then bed, eventually? All wake up too early and I get rid of them as soon after breakfast as is decent.

The boys are in one enormous bedroom, there's certainly room for another 5 on the floor. Anyone who didn't want to be in such a big gang would need to sleep in a small study, or in my bedroom.

And if anyone wanted to go home, his parents would need to pick him up as I wouldn't want to cart all 7 around in the car just to get rid of one. It is this last point which worries me most. Do you think I need another adult in the house?

We have never had any type of sleepover before so your top tips and wise words would be fantastic.

I think you have way too many, four max including your DS. My ds1 is nearly 9 and I have four last year for his 8th birthday and it was fun but very hard work, they get giddy charge about a lot, a bit of bickering which is where you might come unstuck with so many, constant fire fighting. And I don't think any 8yo would sleep in your room! Give them a hot meal too, pizza/chips, hot dogs. Mine went to be at midnight and up at 7am. And he was vile and tired all day long, but did love it. Cut the numbers!

I agree with Caro; I would cut down the numbers. I avoid sleepovers for multiple little people wherever possible (did one once...) Got 2 DC - one friend each tops (spot the mean mum...)
Don't mind lots of people round but can't be doing with giggly children til the early hours (and miserable ones for days after).

At least yours is in the holidays though. Hope it goes well.

Thanks to both of you - I think we will have an A list and if they are on holiday we can go to the B list. Pizza is a good plan too.

We did this for ds1 8th bday last year. We had 9 kids altogether (I have 3) and they all brought sleeping bags and slept on the living room floor.
It was hard work but also a fabulous success We had them from 4pm until 11am the next day (though in hindsight I would suggest something like 5.30 - 10) We actually did give them pizza/hot dogs around 6pm and then cake and a few games. After that DVD's/Wii until midnight when they had a 'midnight feast' (a few sausage rolls and some biscuits ) and then they crashed. Absolutely everyone said I was mad but I'd definitely do it again. By far the cheapest party I've held too!

Agree cut it down.
And don't do ds2's friend. this is ds1's time. and ds2 will love it anyway, chasing all the big boys. Mine are 7 & 2, and ds2 loves ds1's friends.
Need meal - Pizza or burgers and chips. easy disposable drinks e.g. small bottles wtaer/juice. and you need snacks aswell - big bag crisps. cadburys fingers for e.g.
if child unhappy, ring mum, get her to collect.
IT will be fab. tiring for you. good luck.