Last weekend, my partner Jamie decided to host an overnight gathering with our two daughters, ages six and ten. The chaos emanating from their room was reminiscent of a scene from Jurassic Park. The sole rule? Absolutely no boys allowed. I discovered this when I ignored the sign on the door that read “please knock,” just to ensure Jamie hadn’t been devoured by a dinosaur.
As I pushed the door open, the music stopped. My daughters were decked out in a mix of princess gowns and Halloween costumes, complete with various hats. The floor was strewn with clothes, board games, and dolls. Jamie sported a flower-patterned hat straight out of a pioneer tale, but her expression showed a mix of stress and dedication—clearly, things were getting a bit wild.
Upon my entrance, both girls froze, clearly startled by my presence in their “no boys” zone, before erupting into a chant of “No boys allowed!” In a world that preaches equality, I could have felt slighted, but the look of sheer disbelief on Jamie’s face made me decide to just roll with it.
You might think this doesn’t sound like an ideal way to spend your quarantine, and I get that. However, ever since the lockdown began, Jamie and I have struggled to find engaging activities for our kids that don’t revolve around endless Netflix sessions. Initially, I was okay with bending the screen time rules while we adjusted to remote work and schooling. But after months of this, we all began to feel a bit cooped up.
To make the most of our situation, we have organized several sleepovers with the kids. Each weekend, we switch up the location. We’ve camped in the backyard a few times, which was a blast since we finally had the time to set up that fire pit. With kids’ sports canceled, we roasted marshmallows, shared stories, and enjoyed the outdoors without the hassle of packing for a trip.
We even tried sleeping on the trampoline, which, I must admit, was not particularly kind to my back. I realize that not everyone has an outdoor space to work with, but the beauty of these sleepovers is that they can take place anywhere. We’ve set up tents in the living room and even tried sleeping in each child’s room. Honestly, we’re starting to run out of places to crash.
Not all family members have embraced the slumber party concept. Our thirteen-year-old son, Lucas, is in that cool phase where getting him involved is a challenge. However, during one family night when we all huddled in the living room to watch a movie, he dozed off in a chair, ice cream melting in his lap—so I’ll count that as his participation.
These sleepovers have been a bright spot during this stressful time for our children. They’ve helped us bond as a family and provided the kids with something to look forward to amidst so many cancellations.
Now, about that girls-only sleepover I mentioned earlier. That night, I drifted off to the sound of giggles, feeling a bit left out but thankful for my own bed. The next morning, Jamie emerged from the chaos looking a bit rough, indicating it had been quite the night. The girls excitedly recounted their adventures, and I made a comment I might regret: “I’m a little jealous I didn’t get to join.” They exchanged knowing glances and replied, “Next weekend, it’s a dad-only slumber party.”
Jamie shot me a half-smile that seemed to say, “Get ready, buddy.” I grinned at both my girls and agreed. Although it was still a week away, they dashed upstairs to plan. Here’s hoping I survive!
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Summary
Family sleepovers have emerged as a delightful way to cope with the limitations of the COVID-19 lockdown. By creating fun environments, families can bond and find joy amidst uncertainty.