So I mentioned already in the official weekend thread that my GF and my mom will be meeting tonight for the first time. I'm a little nervous, but not too bad...

Tomorrow afternoon my kids are attending a b-day party of a little girl that my DD started Montessori school back when they were bald headed babies. The two girls haven't been to daycare together in years and attend different elementary schools now, but they did attend the same daycamp this summer.

Today I get a call from the mom of a third little girl that they both went to Montessori with. This third little girl also started elementary with my DD until her family recently moved to a new city. But now they are back in town for the weekend and wanted to see about a playdate with our DDs and DSs (who are also of the same age). I told her about the other girl's party tomorrow and gave her that girl's mom's phone number.

Out of town friend mom calls back and says that they are now invited to the party too and that she'll see us there. She asked if we still want to have a separate playdate on Sunday. "Sure!", I said.

Then she asks, "Can my DD stay the night with your DD after the party on Sat and then we'll all meet back up on Sunday?".



"Um... Sure!", I said again. I guess I just didn't expect to be in this sort of situation as a single dad. I always kind of took it for granted that my DD's slumber parties would be at her mom's house. Frankly, I'm flattered that DD's friend's mom feels comfortable enough to ask me this. She's not the type of person to take advantage of anything. Our DDs have just been good friends for so long and they were sad when the other girl moved away. It's just an opportunity for them to spend more time together.

So now I get to entertain two 6 y/o girls and a 4 y/o boy (my DS who will do everything in his power to annoy them thoroughly) on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Yeah, now I'm a little more nervous...

Eh, no worries. Some of the best parties at my house are when my now-13yo daughter has her annual b-day slumber parties, with 6-7 other girls. I get them pizza, drinks, a movie, and just sit back and let them be kids.

The best part? I was voted by them as the best of all their dads... And you know why? Because when they sit there and eat, I actually chat with them - apparently few dads do that.

So, don't worry, treat them like humans, and you'll do fine .

AGG

When I was a single dad, I found slumber parties to be one of the EASIEST times to be had co-parenting.

First, I have to say it made me feel good that other mothers and fathers trusted me with their children. With all the stories of bad behaving men, I wondered if any mom would let her little girl stay with the "divorced dad" given all the negative connotations typically associated with that label.

Second, it's sometimes tiring to be the only contact for a grade school child. If you are not the primary custodian and have only one child, there is only one person they are talking to, you. And if you are not accustomed to it because you don't have the majority of time with her, it's quite a switch.

I'm not complaining, it was just sometimes mentally exhausting. When she has 1 or more of her friends over, I really like it. I like the sounds of them playing, and like that she has friends she can relate to much easier than her dad who is 33 years older than her.

So frankly, I find sleepovers one of the EASIEST things a dad can do for his daughter.

And when you get up and make breakfast for them, or order pizza, they do think you are the coolest dad around.

Just make sure you have contact information for their parents. If you are planning to go anywhere, like a movie or something, make sure it's OK, and make sure they leave a car seat if you don't have enough.

Otherwise, rent some videos, order some pizza, pop some popcorn, and don't let them have too much sugar or caffeine.

Oh, ask the parents if there are any food allergies or meds they have to take, inhalers, etc.

But other than having info, it's not too tough.

AGG, funny you should say that... My friend S who lived with her dad for most of high school had a terrific slumber party at her dad's bachelor pad. He owned a tire shop, and the apartment was above it. It was a fabulous place. But the best was S's dad talked to us about all kinds of grown up stuff. Politics, travel, philosophy. I know I loved it. Mr. S was a bit of a kook, but he was a terrific dad.

Looking back, my favorite dads were the ones who were there, had rules, and respected their children as individuals, and for the age they were.

And yes, dads throw great slumber parties.

Seabird, don't be nervous. At 6, there isn't too much that can go wrong. Just accept that your house will strown with Barbies from one end to another, they may decide paint is a great thing to use as "make up" and they may try to dress up the cat.

Oh, and be ready for tears at bed time if the other girl hasn't spent the night away before.

Well, my first concern was highlighted by EE; with all the bad news about bad men, the idea that other parents can trust me to keep their kids overnight just came as a surprise. It also makes me realize that not everyone viewed as the secondary parent post-D.

But truth be told, I'm not too worried. The party goes on until 6pm, so that really only leaves them awake and roaming for a few hours.

The real challenge will be the next day as we won't be meeting up with the other girl's parents until 1pm.

Awake and roaming for a few hours? Good luck. For years I've watched the neighborhood kids while their parents went out on New Years. Last year, even the 2 year old stayed up to almost 4:00AM. And I was ready to go to sleep before midnight. Be sure to rest up.