Prom and circumstance

How are today's high school prom's differnet than when you went to the dance?

Keep kids safe!

On prom night, you'll want your teen to have as much fun as possible. You'll also want them to be as safe as possible. From hiring a driver to having post-prom chaperones, these five ideas will keep your teen protected and help contain your worrying so that everyone can have a fun and relaxing prom night.

Hire an All-Night Chauffeur
Driving at all hours of the night can be dangerous, especially on prom night with an increased number of teen drivers. Keep your child protected by hiring a limo for the whole evening. Yes, it will be costly, but you can't put a price on safety -- have other parents chip in. This will ensure that your teen won't be out on the roads all night, there will be a more experienced driver on hand to deal with problems, and they'll have a safe ride home and to other locations. Another key factor is drinking and driving. We all hope our kids don't drink, but it's better to be on the safe side. Most limo companies have teens sign a contract that they won't drink or do drugs. The driver is in no way a babysitter or in charge of what your teen does; however, you can instruct the driver that he/she is only to drive them to certain places and to call if they get out of hand or appear to be drinking. Also, stress that your teen can call you anytime and anywhere if there's a problem -- no questions asked.

Assign a Young Adult as Chaperone
Having a parent chaperone the post-prom party can be a buzz kill for teens. Give them a little freedom while still keeping a close eye by eliciting an older, responsible young adult to tag along. Older brothers and sisters are a great start, or try a responsible relative -- the teens will trust them, and the chaperones will allow the teens to have the right amount of fun without crossing the line. Get the group together before prom to set all the ground rules and consequences for breaking them.

Sign Up for the Post-Prom Party
Post-prom parties hosted by schools are becoming bigger and better every year with rocking bands, giveaways, activities, games, and more. Teens come armed with pillows and sleeping bags, and the school provides a night of entertainment (with chaperones) followed by a big breakfast in the morning. If your teen signs up for the post-prom party but doesn't show up, parents are notified immediately. Once a teen is inside, they're not allowed to leave (unless a parent gives the chaperone permission).

Get to Know Their Friends
Friends are very important to teens, so it's crucial to get to know their pals and their date. Have them over to your house for a pre-prom party, movie night, or dinner -- you can even extend the invite to the parents. The more parents you have looking out for your teen, the better. If your son or daughter is hanging out with someone you don't approve of, talk about it with them and explain your concerns in a civil way. You may not be able to prevent them from hanging out together at prom, but you'll feel better once you set boundaries for your own teen.

Set Some Ground Rules
You may not want to think of yourself as being overprotective, but when it comes to prom, the more questions you ask, the less surprises you'll have to face. Before prom, make sure you talk to your son or daughter about drugs, alcohol, sex, and the consequences. Set check-in call times and get a copy of the itinerary for prom night so you know where they'll be at all times. It also doesn't hurt to team up with other parents to keep an eye on each other's teens, especially if they're attending a post-prom party at a friend's house.