Our church has often had an event for elementary girls to emphasize their worth and build self confidence, as well as relationships. Sometimes it has been a father-daughter dance, complete with limousine rides and beautiful dresses. But as the economy has changed, and with it, the pocketbooks of parents, it became obvious that a different kind of event was in order.
In the Beginning
Early in 2023, I was flipping through Facebook when I happened across a post of a woman in an inner-city ministry who had had a simple sleepover at her house with about half a dozen girls. The idea stuck with me: why couldn’t we do that?
That’s how Princess Power Sleepover was born. We held it at my house in April the first year and had 14 young girls and 4 mothers.
The Why
Our goal is to help these young ladies to understand the value they have as children of God the Father (princesses) and the Power they have because of the Holy Spirit. Hence the name, Princess Power Sleepover. Each year we take a different characteristic of God (God the Father the first year; holiness in 2024; patience in 2025). If they can better see Who God is, they can better understand how they should reflect Him. The girls are asked to bring their own Bibles (we have extras available just in case).
The How
Girls K-5th grade are invited (princesses in K and 1st grade have to have their bodyguard [mom/grandma/adult friend] accompany them in order to stay overnight). We start the festivities after school, with supper at 6:30. After 3 or 4 short sessions, some playtime woven in between, and a bedtime snack, we brush teeth about 10pm and camp out on the carpet. There are little princesses sleeping under the kitchen table and coffee table, moms sleeping on couches, and tiaras and glow-in-the-dark wands all over the floor!
The next morning starts about 7am when the first girl awakes. There’s breakfast, more a cappella singing (surprisingly, the girls LOVE this!) a last reminder of Who their loving Heavenly Father is and who they are, followed by time to play outside before their entourage picks them up at 11am (probably 10am next year!)
The event was such a huge success that girls and their bodyguards alike were begging to know if we could do another one next year (as they left!)
In 2024 we had twice as many girls register, and I (thankfully!) had someone from church volunteer their larger home.
If Tables Could Talk is born
As I began preparing for PPS2024, the idea for the story If Tables Could Talk was born. I wanted something creative to use as a concrete example for one of the sessions in the evening. Why not write a story? I thought. I had only ever painted with watercolors, but I knew the girls at the back of the living room would not be able to see the illustrations unless I went with something bolder. So I bought a set of 6 paints, a pad of 12×18 canvases, and rummaged around in the elementary church supplies for paint brushes.
I sent the story to 5 of my friends, asking for constructive criticism regarding the story itself, and asking their opinions about the illustrations. Without fail, they all responded that it was a story that not only needed to be taken to the Princess Power Sleepover event, but also needed to be published (and to a man, the ensuing refrain was: what happened to the chair? So of course, the idea behind Book 2 was born!).
The large group setting was probably not my best idea for the reading of If Tables Could Talk. If I had saved it for a bedtime story, or perhaps divided the girls up, it probably would’ve been more impactful. Although several of the older girls appreciated the story, the little ones wanted to know when it was time to eat(!) [In my defense, supper wasn’t ready on schedule, and we were using the story as a time-filler!] Several of the mothers echoed the sentiments of my 5 friends and encouraged getting it published.
A Highlight of the Year
Princess Power Sleepover is one of the highlights of my year. I plan for it, pray over it, shop for it, look for ideas about it ALL YEAR LONG! The girls bring their PPS-decorated highlighter to church on Sunday to use during children’s worship, hum the songs throughout the year, and ask when the next one is (April, my dear, April…) Moms volunteer to help with crafts, bring treats, and help decorate.
Meanwhile, the boys want to know what special thing they get to do! (Men and Boys Campout in October!)
Next Year
As I pray about next year’s Princess Power Sleepover, I’m considering adding a tea party and having pretty dresses available to play dress up. I go back and forth about the dress up idea, as our worth isn’t dependent on how we look and I don’t want the princesses fighting over dresses. I’m still praying over this.
Several moms have asked if our numbers continue to grow, will we move it to the church. At the moment, my answer is no. I think we might have to have 2 separate events: one aimed at the younger group, and one for the older, but still be able to have it in a home setting. Children today are HUNGRY for real relationships, and the genuine hospitality of a home opens hearts.
More Information
If you want more information or have other ideas, please feel free to email me at a215sutcliffe@gmail.com