1. Set rules and teens should stick by them, such as no drinking, no drugs and no attendance at unchaperoned events.
2. Parents need to know where, when and with whom their children are going to be.
3. Parents should set driving rules and they should be nonnegotiable, said Dorothy Heltibrand of Family Support Network. A student must not ride in a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking. Heltibrand discouraged using a designated driver because she said it can translate into a green light for drinking by everybody else.
4. Parents who hold an after-prom party should establish rules, adhere to a guest list and set a firm time for the party to begin and end. They should ban alcohol and substances and warn their teen that they will call the police if minors violate this rule. Parents do not need to stay in the room where the students are congregating, but they should be within earshot and enter the room periodically.
5. Parents should let their teen know they are available for a ride or whatever the teen may need without any questions asked. Heltibrand said students can get into situations that may be scary for them for a variety of reasons, and they need to feel secure in asking parents for help.
6. Parents should have a nonthreatening conversation with their child and emphasize that the teen will want to cherish the night’s memories and not mar them with regrettable actions.
7. Parents should realize this is a big night in their teen’s life and relax rules that can be eased without endangering the student, such as curfew. Heltibrand encourages parents to be alert and cautious but says they shouldn’t panic.
