Parental Responsibility
Rites of Passage
If you are a parent of a high school student, soon your teen will be experiencing three of the most anticipated events in his or her life: spring break, prom and graduation. Most teens will celebrate by attending a party with their friends. Before you send your teen out tocelebrate, be prepared for what they may encounter before they return to the safety and comfort of your home.
Things to know when your teen is a guest at a party
- Before giving consent for your teen to attend, call the adult host to confirm party location, time and whether alcohol is being served.
- If you do not know the host parent or on-site designated adult, take the time to introduce yourself. Get to know the parents of your teen's friends. Make sure they share your expectations of drug- and alcohol-free parties. Make sure your teen knows that you will be checking with the parents of any other teen who is hosting a party. Don't trust that other parents will have the same "no-use" expectations as you.
- Confirm that no alcohol will be served and adult supervision will be provided on-site. Make sure that the parent is trustworthy; mention that you may be stopping by to check on how the party is going. It is unfortunate, but NOT ALL PARENTS/GUARDIANS CAN BE TRUSTED with your teen's safety and well-being.
- Discuss drop-off and pickup expectations with your teen. Make sure your teen has money or a cell phone for an emergency phone call. Be sure your teen knows who to call.
- Make it easy for your teen to leave a party if there are drugs/alcohol. Make arrangements for them to call you or another trusted adult if they need to be picked up. Emphasize they should never ride home with any driver who has been drinking or using drugs.
- Discuss with your teen the dangers of drinking and driving or riding in a car with an impaired person. Even though alcohol is not supposed to be served at the party, there is no guarantee that a party guest will not try to sneak alcohol in.
- Stay up and greet your teen when they return home. This lets your teen know you care and are paying attention to what they are doing.
- Be clear about consequences (in advance) if your teen chooses to drink alcohol.
Did You Know? Although a majority
of parents believe peer pressure to be the primary reason teens
drink or use drugs, teens say:
79% - being drunk/high feels good; 67% - helps to forget problems;
66% - others do it (peer pressure); 47% - nothing else to do
Did You Know? Most of the alcohol used by youth under the age of 21 is either taken from the home of the parents or given to them by an older sibling.
Straight Talk: Be specific when setting rules. Make sure your teen knows their home non-alcohol policy and that it is in effect at all times. Adults and teens have dramatically different social habits when it comes to drinking alcohol. Teens are more likely to drink alcohol in cars with 3 to 5 passengers between the hours of 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. and are more likely to be "cruising" and driving too fast.
79% - being drunk/high feels good; 67% - helps to forget problems;
66% - others do it (peer pressure); 47% - nothing else to do
Did You Know? Most of the alcohol used by youth under the age of 21 is either taken from the home of the parents or given to them by an older sibling.
Straight Talk: Be specific when setting rules. Make sure your teen knows their home non-alcohol policy and that it is in effect at all times. Adults and teens have dramatically different social habits when it comes to drinking alcohol. Teens are more likely to drink alcohol in cars with 3 to 5 passengers between the hours of 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. and are more likely to be "cruising" and driving too fast.
Going Out of Town
Before you go out of town and leave a teen alone or in charge, consider
the following:
- Can your teen handle the responsibility?
- Make it clear that throwing a party is not an option!
- Ask a trusted adult such as a close neighbor to check on your teen and your home while you are gone.
- Be clear about consequences (in advance) if your teen chooses to have a party while you are gone.
Spring Break & Beach Parties
Things to remember before you send your teen to the beach or
on a spring break:
- Do not send your teen to the beach without adult supervision. Send your teen with a group of friends and at least one adult that you have met and trust.
- Write down the hotel name, address, phone number and the contact information for the adult accompanying the teens.
- Prepare a list of emergency numbers such as the police departments, hospitals, and other such emergency contacts for your teen to carry with them. Include phone numbers of family or friends for emergencies. Keep a copy for your home records.
- Have your teen keep a list of phone numbers to call in case your teen's credit cards or traveler's checks are lost or stolen, as well as the traveler's check numbers.
- Include an emergency/safety kit containing things such as aspirin, bandages, disinfectants, cold compress and sun block.
- There's safety in numbers. Talk to your teen about staying close to his/her friends. Three or more people watching out for each other are better than one.
- Talk to your teen before the trip about the dangers of drinking and driving.
