May's Empowering Thoughts

​6 Tips to Create a Safe Prom and High-School Graduation Season for Your Teen

Here are 6 tips for parents to help keep their teen safe and make this season one to remember for all the right reasons.

• Do not provide alcohol: It is illegal in Indiana to provide underage youth (even your own children) alcohol or a place to consume alcohol. Help your teen have a sober and fun night!
• Set curfews:  Teen car crashes and deaths increase exponentially late at night. Know where your teen is, how long he will be there, when he will be leaving, who is there, and who is supervising the event.
• Do not rent a hotel room: If a room is rented for teens, an appropriate adult(s) must be there to ensure safety and manage risk.
• Be up when they come home:  A teen’s curfew should never exceed the parent’s ability to stay up.
• Clearly communicate your expectations: Talk to your child about the dangers of drinking and driving and getting in the car with a drunk driver. Consider role playing a few scenarios. Research shows that parents who discuss possible scenarios and build their teen’s knowledge about what to do  should a situation arise, increase the chances of their teen’s safe decision-making.
• Keep the party local:  Don’t be tempted to allow your children to celebrate at a far-away location, such as a beach or cabin. Allowing your teen to take off to a remote spot with no supervision creates unnecessary risk.
• Talk with your teen: Ask them how they are feeling about the prom? What are they most excited about? What are they most nervous about? If you don’t know the parents of your teen’s date and prom group, be sure to get to know them before the big event.

 
Help your teen enjoy their prom and graduation without drinking or using drugs. Lay down rules that will help create everlasting memories.

For more information, visit https://www.drugabuse.gov/