After much pleading, your tween has finally gotten you to sign off on hosting her first sleepover. But before you break out the chips and scary flicks, create some ground rules, says karin mahoney, director of communications for the nonprofit Better Sleep Council.

Set expectations. Talk to your child before the party about what’s allowed and what’s not. Fun notwithstanding, other members of the household still need their zzz’s. So establish a reasonable bedtime to fend off zoned-out zombies the next day. Plan for calming fun. No need to get the kids all hyped up on sugary treats and drinks. Instead, make a soothing spa night for them, including relaxing mani/pedis, and serve warm decaf tea or milky cocoa. This will help ground the giddiness and prep the girls for sleep. Be flexible. Don’t be too much of a party pooper if the pillow fights linger a bit past the set bedtime. But appeal to the kids’ sense of reason by pointing out that staying up too late will make it hard for them to enjoy tomorrow’s activities, like whipping up their own pancakes for breakfast. Above all, remind them that a sleepover is a privilege earned.