A Parent's Guide To Prom Night
Planning for prom can be fun - choosing what to wear for your child
, helping with the preparations for the after parties, breakfasts etc. However, this is also a time where parents become afraid for their children. Alcohol, drugs and sex are one area of concern for parents, as is the high incidence of road accidents among teenagers driving under the influence of alcohol and other illegal substances. Parents - prepare for prom night and fear no more.
As a parent, you don't want to take away the excitement and anticipation your child is feeling about prom. At the same time, you want their Prom to be a night to remember - not one that they will regret for the rest of their lives. To help calm your fears and ensure that your child has a good time, address the dangers and consequences of foolish behaviour well before the night arrives.
The best way to remove concerns about drinking and driving is to hire a limousine for the night. This might be costly- anything between $50 and $500 depending on the limo -but will be worth it. To share on the expenses, your child and friends can share a limo as well, often 4 or 5 couples can fit comfortably into one limo. To transport the teens to and from each venue, make sure the limo is available for the entire night. This ensures that there is an experienced, sober driver available for the entire night. It is usually cheaper if the couples gather at one house to be collected and arrange for all to be dropped off at the same place than delivering each child to a different address.
Parents need to be realistic even if underage drinking is not allowed nor encouraged. Most likely, there will be some sort of alcohol available somewhere through the night and the teens will most likely indulge to some extent. You were not a saint at that age and more likely than not, neither is your child. Explain the consequences of over-indulgence, and ignore their protests that it won't happen to them - teens all think they're invincible. Make sure your daughter knows the danger of her drinks being spiked, and the possibility that she may do something out of character when she has had a few drinks. Having a good time and letting your guard down is on the opposite side of the spectrum from getting drunk and taking drugs or having sex for all the wrong reasons. Speak to your son about the consequences of having sex with a girl who is too drunk to give proper consent, and the possible repercussions a rape charge can have on the rest of his life.
Tragically, a parent can only do so much warning and explaining. Awareness is something that your child must have about the dangers and the possible consequences, tell them that you trust them to make responsible decisions on prom night. Make sure that your child keeps their mobile phones with them and that they have emergency money. Put the cab company's number on their speed dial and let them know that they can call you anytime they feel uncomfortable or if they just want out of a situation. Parents - be prepared for Prom night, then let them enjoy themselves while you sit up all night waiting for them to get home safe.
by: Ethel Rodgers
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