10 Yr Old Daughter Wants a Sleepover but Parents Do Not Know Us

I have a 9 yr old. She wanted 2 friends from school to spend the night for a sleepover and I just knew that the parents might not do that because they didn't know me. I asked her to get their telephone numbers and I called the mothers and talked to them about it and they said yes. I said that they could drop them off at 4 or 5pm and come in to my house and meet us. that's all it took. They all slept in the living room watching tv with sleeping bags.

i would have a casual social to get to know the parents. do you play cards? how about a game night?

my kids cannot enter into the house of anyone that i do not know personally (getting acquainted over the phone is not enough). it was the same rule for my parents (oh yeah-i was a military brat, too!).

i have 3: son (10), daughters (8 and 2).

Welcome to the area!
At first glance, the temptation might be to do something particular vis your invitation, but to much information might be as off-putting to parents as too little!
If you send out invitations early enough, those parents whose approval depends on getting to know a little more about you will make the effort in time; you would, and so would I!
Kicking off the sleepover with a, 'please join us for a lemonade as we kick off the party' for parents would be a great way to bring your daughter's new community together for this event.
Hope you have a great party.

Your daughter could host a weekend party, during the day. It could be for a reason - April Fools Day, May Day, a barbeque, or just cuz its Sat. Think of it as a meet and greet. Invite the friends that you would invite to the sleepover. Most likely one or both of the parents will attend.

Hi C..

If you have time before your daughter's birthday, you could schedule some play dates. If most of the parents get to know you, they should be OK with a sleep over in a few month.

Good luck.
Jen

C.,

I had to host a sleepover for my daughters birthday when she was 9 years old. I am not much of a social butterfly, but all of my daughters friends were able to stay over. Surprisingly, all it really took is a small conversation during the RSVP process to put the parents at ease. When they called, a quick conversation about the party and the sleepover and that was it. If it makes you feel more comfortable, definitely host a mini party for the potential invites with an invitation extended to the family. It will give you an opportunity to meet and greet the families and forge great relationships :)

I would suggest the old military standby... Have a BBQ!! We moved here from Germany 2 years ago and weren't actually planning on staying here (my parents' house). It is a very different social structure and we are all still struggling with the differences. My husband is in Baghdad right now and it is very difficult to NOT be on a military post with other military families. Invite everyone over and get to know them. Spring break is coming up, so there should be some opportunities there for family socializing.

Good luck!

R. M