Just A Thought:

Thoughts on Sleepovers - New York Times writer

Sleepovers provide an experience, like trick-or-treating, when the power balance between grown-ups and children can shift in the latter’s favour for the simple reason that parents don’t have the stamina to keep up with (or even stay awake for) kids’ antics. 

Feeling powerful can be energizing and, well, empowering. But an even more potent benefit is the chance to learn deeply from other families. As a child, I found it incredibly exciting to be an observer in another family’s home. Some families ran a tight ship; others had dishes piled high in the sink. Some parents were fun to talk with; others scared me witless. Some families seemed to be thriving; others were just hanging on. Seeing these differences helped me reflect on my own place in the world.