Sleepover. Am a total party pooper, aren't I?

[SaltySeaDog72]

Ok not quite teen but the same applies to dd1 who turns 14 soon..

dd2 turns 12 soon and wants a sleepover with 3 friends.

Am a lone parent in a small 3 bed, they will have to sleep downstairs. I allowed dd1 a couple of years back.... they were horrified I removed their mobile phones and they kept me up til 3am being bloody loud even after being told off!!

Am scarred. I work 4 days a week.... I neeeeeeed my sleep.

dd2 has already said 'let me have a sleepover and don't take the phones off us'

Am a party pooper to say 'no' aren't I???

The mistake you made 4 years ago was you didn't tell them to basically stfu (in a child friendly way) otherwise you would call their parents to collect and follow through.

You do have to have rules in place. You know realistically they aren't goi g to sleep. But they have to be mindful of others in the house.

Tell her she can have one under the same conditions as her older sister ie no phones.

Also a friend of mine has found that when you want them to go to sleep, sitting in the same room as them is highly effective!

I think, if it's only a rare occurrence, expect a virtually sleepless night. They're at the age where that is the main appeal.

I've had downstairs sleepovers. They were quiet and respectful, didn't keep me awake.

Let them do it, it's a one off, stock up on pro plus for the next day, for you, and make DD do the hovering for a week.

You only remove their phones if they wake you.
That way they will be up all night but very quiet

Of course you should let them. Sleepovers are great at that age

Sleepover is a wakeover - you have to realise you'll get minimal sleep if it's more than a couple of kids DS staying.

My teen DDs have sleepovers in the lounge downstairs and they've mostly been ok - a couple of friends have been a bit lairy but when I've marched down in fleecy jim jams, bed hair and pissed off face they've reigned it in a bit. I don't take phones off them though, that's part of the fun of a sleepover, surely.

Like the idea above though - threaten to take them off them if you're kept awake.

I couldn't care less if they stay awake all night, I just don't want to hear them.

then buy some earplugs!

seriously. you can get some v. cheap from ebay - like ten for 99p for foam ones and slightly more for wax. They block out or at least muffle most background noise enough to be able to sleep but will allow you to hear screaming/fire alarm going off etc.

You will prob get a nice lie in too, because they won't fall asleep until 4am and will sleep until at least 10!