Why Slumber Parties Are So Important

Gill Sutherland of The Guardian is not a fan of sleepovers, as they often turn into an all out social event that creates a great deal of stress. But the stress is totally worth it.

Sutherland has created a list of “golden rules” to ensure that a sleepover party at your house will be a success for your child and his/her guests. Psychological readiness, familiarity with guests, and, of course, awesome snacks. “Key to the success of any sleepover is the quality of the victuals. Top of the luxe list is a takeaway pizza, and anything that comes in its own dinky box for each guest (cardboard lunch boxes cost about 35p each from online party suppliers). Also cool is any food that involves making a humongous mess. Make-your-own pizzas, self-assembly nachos, piled high with sauce, refried beans and grated cheese, chocolate fondues and gloopy sundaes made from ice-cream, sticky sauces and crushed biscuits are all sleepover stalwarts,” Sutherland writes. Mmm…sleepover stalwarts.

But beyond parental preparation, the true fun of a sleepover party comes with the faux-sense of independence it brings: when you’re young, and invited to sleepover at a friend’s house, you get your first taste of freedom: your parents are gone, and your only objective is to eat a ton of junk food, play stupid games, and try to stay up as late as you can. It’s a bit like college, without your drunken roommate or rash decision to get a tongue piercing.