A Party That Cures The Common Sleepover

CREATIVITY SPECIAL | by KAVITA VARMA-WHITE

ONE RITUAL OF CHILDHOOD that is as loved by kids as it is detested by parents is The Sleepover.

One child spending the night at a friend’s home always sounds great at the outset. There is temporary parental joy when it’s your child who is sleeping away and you get a night of peace and quiet with your spouse. But the joy turns to misery the next day when your child returns beyond cranky, because he or she stayed up too late and/or got up too early. Not to mention the breakfast of donuts or pancakes that results in a major sugar crash … just about the time they return home. We call it The Sleepover Hangover, and the only remedy for it is a very early bedtime.

Recently my 10-year-old daughter Priya and I came up with an idea that would be as fun as the sleepover but void of the hangover. We called it The After-Sleep Party: She invited five friends to come over on a Saturday morning by 8:30. Dress code: Pajamas. Once they all arrived, each made her own mug of hot cocoa.

For the meal, the girls sat at an elaborately decorated table and started with a course of mixed berries, and OJ in champagne flutes. Bacon and pancakes, made in advance, were kept warm in the oven. For the second course, we set up a toppings bar – chocolate chips, fruit, syrup, whipped cream – and the girls made pancake masterpieces.

After breakfast came a dance party, including singing, gymnastics and musical chairs.

Pick-up was at noon, and the girls left thanking us for an enjoyable morning.

It would have been a total success, except for the one girl who asked, on her way, out: “Can Priya sleep over tonight?”