How to prepare for the first overnight stay with a child?
Do you still remember from your childhood the first time you went to a sleepover at your friend's place? It was an adventure full of expectations and bubbling excitement in the air! You probably remember when you asked your parents for permission to have a sleepover and packed a small suitcase ready for the sleepover?
"It was a darkening afternoon when my mother helped me get ready for my first sleepover at my friend's house. I was excited and nervous! We packed my favorite pajamas and my favorite toy, and I chose new sheets to take with me that I had received as a Christmas gift. They made me feel safe because the sleepover made me a little nervous.
When I arrived at my friend's place, we almost immediately put on soft pajamas. They were the same, just different colors! We giggled as we looked at each other in the mirror. I whispered to my friend: "We're just like twins!"
We had an evening full of fun moments! We played board games, filled out a friendship book, and got to drink big cups of warm cocoa. We secretly piped whipped cream into the cocoa mugs many times! As the evening began to darken, we put the sheets in place next to my friend's bed on a mattress with my friend's mother. I showed my friend a pink sleep mask that I had received as a gift from my grandmother. In the soft sheets, in my favorite pajamas, with the sleep mask on my eyes, sleep came quickly, even though before falling asleep we whispered our latest secrets to each other under the blanket.
1. Talk with the child about the sleepover in advance. Discuss the sleepover with the child and ask what they expect from it. Listen to their thoughts and expectations! This conversation helps your child feel comfortable and heard.
2. Choose a familiar place. For the first sleepover, it's good to choose a place that is already familiar and safe for the child. Often a relative's or a good friend's home is a good option because the child feels familiar and welcome there.
3. Let the child choose familiar items to bring. The child can choose a few familiar toys or stuffed animals to bring, which provide a sense of security and can calm the child, making the sleepover more enjoyable.
4. Prepare with sleeping essentials. Make sure the child has everything needed for a comfortable night. Pack a comfortable and soft pajama, a comfort toy, and if necessary, a night light and their own sheets. This helps create a safe and pleasant sleeping environment for the child.
6. Be patient. Give the child time to adjust to the new environment and situation. The first time, excitement may cause homesickness, and the child may want to return home. Gradually, as sleepovers repeat, the child relaxes and the homesickness no longer surprises.
7. Give positive feedback. Encourage the child to be brave and praise their successes during the sleepover!
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