Parent to Parent: Sleepovers

WSVN -- Five-year-olds Ally Polner and Lexi Barten are bff's -- that's best friends forever -- and play so much, they never want the day to end.

But when both girls asked to have a sleepover, Lexi's mom, Ilyne says it wasn't an easy decision.

Ilyne Barten: "I really think it makes her feel like i'm a big girl now, even if I don't want her to feel quite that much of a big girl yet."

Seven's parenting expert Dr. Debbie says there are ways to ease your apprehension.

First, make sure you've been to their friend's house and make sure your child's comfortable there too.

Dr. Debbie Glasser: "This is going to be a family that you know very, very well, that your children know very very well and that you have an enormous sense of trust and comfort to promote this kind of experience."

Next, test to see if your child will be ok away from home. To find that out, you can always practice by having an extended playdate that lasts later into the night.

Also ask yourself: Is my child independent, mature, and does he play well with others?

Dr. Debbie Glasser: "It's a lot of time that they're spending together, and so it does take a level of maturity and a level of independence that kids develop at different ages and stages."

Then before the big day, pack together.

Make sure to include a special doll or blanket.

Explain what will happen, and let them know, you will pick them up if they get scared.

Dr. Debbie Glasser: "Sleepovers are not for everyone and that's ok. But for some kids, there is that thrill of being in another person's house, eating new foods that they've never eaten before and really spending that concentrated extra time with a very very very best friend.  That can be really quite exciting for some kids."

Today, both Ally and Lexi are sleepover experts.

In fact, lexi's mom says it may have gone too well.

Ilyne Barten: "When I went to pick her up the next day, I got, why are you here? I don't want to go home."

IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN DR. DEBBIE CAN HELP YOU WITH E-MAIL US AT:

parent@wsvn.com