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A slumber party is a pretty funny name for a party where the point is basically not to slumber at all. The most successful slumber parties are the ones where the guests stay up all night eating, watching movies, doing each other’s nails and hair, sampling beauty products, trying on clothes, taking lots of pictures, texting boys, playing music, and talking.
Any parent who has hosted a slumber party would add “squealing” to that list. There’s nothing quite like the sound of six girls simultaneously emitting high-pitched squeals to make parents think they are in imminent danger of a tornado or under attack from an alien army.
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Slumber parties can be the most fun thing in the world, but some guidelines of conduct can make the experience more enjoyable for you and your friends, and almost bearable for the host parents.
YOU DO
Participate in all the activities with the other girls.
YOU DON’T
Sit in a corner and text another friend all night, or call home at one in the morning and beg someone to come get you.
Why
Things don’t always go as we wished or anticipated. If you don’t like the movie being shown, feel that you are being left out, or are not having a good time, make the most of it and remember that the party isn’t for you, but for the birthday girl. In the morning when you wake up, you can make a private call to your mom or dad and ask to be picked up early. Or in sticking it out, you might discover you had a good time after all.
YOU DO
Find the hostess’s parents to say thank you and goodbye when your ride comes to pick you up.
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YOU DON’T
Sneak out the door when your ride texts you to let you know they’re outside and waiting.
Why
Thanking your friend is not enough. You must also thank your friend’s parents, who put up with all the noise, lost a good night’s sleep, and enjoyed none of the fun. Besides, if they don’t see you leave, they might be concerned that you may have wandered off in the night.
YOU DO
Bring things to share—a type of candy you know the birthday girl loves, fun colors of nail polish, individual packs of false eyelashes.
YOU DON’T
Bring only enough for you and the birthday girl, anything you couldn’t bear to accidentally have broken, eye makeup to share, or glitter.
Why
A slumber party is a communal activity, so check before the party to see how many guests are expected so you know how much candy or how many packs of false eyelashes to bring. No matter how cute it looked sprinkled on that model in the magazine, glitter is never a good idea in real life, especially not in someone else’s house.
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A lady brings her own pillow, face wash, toothbrush, and toothpaste to a slumber party.
A lady doesn’t leave anyone out.
A lady helps the hostess pick up in the morning.
A lady doesn’t go anywhere in the host house except the area designated for the slumber party.
A lady does her best not to squeal after midnight.