Thursday, May 16, 2013

Partying Like a Graduate


Q: My high school senior wants to go to a party after graduation. The location will be a classmates house, but I’ve been unable to receive satisfactory answers as to whether the parents will be home. I know she wants to celebrate with her friends, but after reading so much about alcohol being at high school graduation parties, I’m a little leery. I trust my daughter, but it’s the other kids I’m worried about.

A: I have the perfect solution, one guaranteed to ease your mind. Call up the classmate’s parents and offer your services as a chaperone and nonalcoholic barkeep. They’ll probably be thrilled to have another pair of hands on deck to help with setup and monitoring the crowd.

However, if they respond with no thanks, they’ve got it covered, then tell your daughter she may attend with the caveat that you’ll be popping by during the evening. She may be on the cusp of adulthood, but you’re still the parent and you want to be available in case she gets into a situation that’s out of her control.

So ease up and let her spread her wings a bit on her own, but do drop by and check on things. And if you do find alcohol there, take your daughter, leave and phone the police. You might lose some friends over that call, but you certainly don’t want any alcohol-related car crashes on your conscience.


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