Another notch in my belt of motherhood.  The first slumber party is officially history.  It was every bit as much fun and as much a pain in the *ss as I expected, providing plenty of learning opportunities.  We did the digital camera paperdolls, made our own personal pizzas, stayed up plenty late watching movies; we had a spa morning and gave ourselves manicures right after a hearty breakfast of eggnog waffles, ham and orange slices.

Points learned on this inaugural event:

1)      When a mother cautions you that her child is very clingy and she’s given her multiple phone numbers and a cell phone to call her, don’t blow this off…

2)      You CAN tell kids to settle down and get ready for bed – they need you to do that since they are KIDS and are not able to make that judgment for themselves (particularly if they are wound-up from six straight hours of high-jinx and junk foods;

3)       Parents who are shocked that the kids did not stay up until 6:00 am are not ones you should ask for advice on slumber parties;

4)      Just because a child tells you they like a particular food and even puts it on their plate does not mean they will actually eat it;

5)      The corollary: Expect to throw out 50% (or more) of all food made;

6)      Girls may be EXCESSIVELY body conscious even as early as the tender age of ten, to the point of neurosis;

7)      If there is a younger sibling, make sure they have other plans or they will feel excluded – especially if the sibling is a younger boy.

I stand reassured after this party: my children are angels.  ANGELS, I tell you, and that’s not just the normal prideful mother’s talk.  This society is raising its girls to be neurotic freaks; we need to take our daughters aside regularly and praise them for their non-neurotic, rational behavior and point out the stuff that’s just not right.

Thank the stars noon came when it did because somebody had issues -- the kind that if she were an adult woman she’d give other women a bad rap.

[- Shudder -]

4:13:05 PM    comment []