The more prepared you are for them the better

Teenager sleepovers are the norm once your teen hits a certain age and most teens will have a sleepover regularly during their adolescent years. There are a few things parents need to know before they have the sleepover and we have gathered up a few tips from parents who have had the sleepovers. This is the definitive guide to sleepovers so you can rest assured it will all go swimmingly! 
  • Be aware of social media- It is worth considering once you have a load of teens over for a sleepover that you turn off the Wi-fi. Having no access to social media means there can be little or no chance of the teens sending messages or taking pics and videos in compromising positions (like snoring for instance.) However, this totally depends on how much you trust your own teen and if you think they will cause any trouble while using their phones in your house. Talk to the sleepover guest’s parents and see what they think and ask if they have any restrictions on social media at home so you can follow suit. 
  • Accept that they won’t sleep- Teenagers love to have a lie in but that doesn’t mean they will go to sleep while at the sleepover! The youngsters will be up all night quite possibly chatting and messing around and there is very little you can do about that! 
  • But that they will eat! – They will wolf down pizzas, sweets, crisps and fizzy pops to beat the band so ensure you have the house well-stocked in foodie treats! 
  • Check in now and again- Your teen may not like you to but you should check in now and again making excuses to drop in (make cookies or something.) The guys will probably be perfectly fine but just to be sure having a quick look in is no harm and at least then you’ll notice if one of the guests is off-colour. 
  • They will probably talk about boys and girls- Regardless of whether you are having boys or girls over they will more than likely talk about the fairer sex at some point. There will be jeering or giggling while someone will get caught in a game of truth or dare but it should all be fun! 
  • They will be moody the next day- The next morning when you drag them out of bed they will be the moodiest gang of kids you will ever see but after a night of little sleep it is understandable.
  • Send them home after breakfast- Get them all fed up with a fry up or pancakes and send them on their merry way home! By this time, they will be wrecked and probably fed up of each other anyway!
  • Let your teen rest and have nothing planned for the day- For your own teenager let them rest and if they tidy their room after they leave, allow them to sleep off the night that was. Don’t whatever you do send them to a family party or occasion as they will not be in the mood. You have been warned!
Written by Emma Hayes. Emma is a writer with Family Friendly HQ and also writes her own parenting musings over at www.emmasmadjotters.com