Hey - been there and done this one. I had ten 11 year old girls recently. On my own.
As long as you realise it will be madness, you'll be fine. Obv Just make sure you have numbers for all the parents in case of emergencies.
- Buy the small bottles of drink, rather than giving them bottles and cups. Then you can fill up with squash as needed - no Spillage possibilities then
- I did a "picky" tea for them i.e. buffet style which they loved. And it means you can cater for the pickier eaters
- We also made a huge bed across my daughters bedroom floor - so get them to bring sleeping bags etc. The girls loved that.
- Yes there will probably be "arguements" - they are hormonal teenagers - but deal with them in the same way you'd deal with your own DD. My DD's friends know I am a lot of fun, but there is a line they don't cross (well not too often anyway)
- Be aware of the bossier girls and make sure the quieter ones are being included.
- I, checked with Mums first, and asked them all to bring some make up etc, and let them do makeovers on each other.......... and me !!!!!! (fairly hilarious results) but they loved this and kept them going for ages. Although I could have got a bit part as a french hooker in a movie afterwards.
- Realise its hard to get them all to want to do the same activity, so let them do different things in smaller groups. i.e. Makeup, games, wii etc. Alternatively offer 2 activities, take a vote and do the most popular one first and the other one next.
- They prob will not watch the DVD you lovingly put on for them too early in the night. But I always have a rule on sleepovers- they can run around until 10.00pm, then it is pyjamas on and into the bedroom/sleeping area. No of course I did not expect them to sleep, but they knew I had an acceptable noise level, and only had to pull them up a couple of times - god girls can giggle a lot. I made a couple of bowls of popcorn and put the DVD on then - knowing full well they'd chat the whole way through the film
- They're girls - so will probably be chatting about boys til the wee hours !
10. Accept they'll probably be awake long long after you have gone to bed !
12. Breakfast - I bought a load of croissants and put them out with jams etc the next day - this always goes down well
Most importantly, don't feel you need to control the whole evening too much. As long as they know the rules, let them work out what they want to do themselves (as long as its something you are happy with).
Also remember is a FAB opp to totally embarress your DD. Her friends will think you are cool as you've let them stay and will be happy for you to join in the activities, whereas DD will be mortified......... Well I thought my attempt at Just Dance 2 was pretty good and I kicked their 11 year old butts LOL. DD, not so impressed !
To keep you going thing of the following days shopping list............ Wine, Wine and more Wine !
Yes you'll be shattered the next day and the tidiying up will be hideous. But your DD will love it and lets face it, thats why we do it.