News, Advice, and Tips for Parenting Teenagers

Underage drinking is one of the biggest problems faced by teens today, according to a recent Gallup survey sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and if you don't already communicate regularly with your teen about the inherent dangers of alcohol misuse, prom season creates an ideal opportunity.

Short of personally accompanying your teen to the prom (a tactic that probably won't go over too well), however, thinking that you can keep your teen 100% safe on prom night or on any other night isn't realistic. Fortunately, keeping your teen as safe as possible is.

Even if you feel certain your teen is "too smart" or "too sensible" to engage in risky behaviors like alchohol or substance misuse, the pressures and expectations of prom night can put almost any teen into an uncomfortable -- or dangerous -- situation. And if you already suspect that your teen may have a drinking problem, prom night parties can present an all too easy opportunity to get into trouble.

So what can you do to help keep your teen safe on prom night? First and foremost, communicate: it's critical that you talk openly with your teen about your concerns -- and about the things your teen can do to take care of him/herself. Be absolutely clear about the dangers of drinking and driving or of letting a friend drive drunk (according to MADD, "nearly half of all 15-20 year olds killed in car crashes during prom season in 2004 involved alcohol") and make sure your teen understands that under no circumstances do they have to get into a car with anyone they think may be incapable of safe driving.

Next, work with your teen to decide on a fair and appropriate prom night curfew and schedule, including pre-determined times for him/her to "check in" with you via cell phone. Finally, call the parents of teens hosting prom night parties to which your teen is invited. As well as making sure that each party will be chaperoned by responsible adults, you might also consider volunteering to help out -- or to be "on standby" in case another chaperone drops out.

Finally, click here for more tips on helping your teen enjoy a safe, sober prom night.