GAZELLE WEST Vol. 1, Issue 2 | Page 41

A PARENT’S GUIDE TO PROM SAFETY By ELLIE GROSSMAN Spring is in the air—the dogwoods are blooming, the Redbirds are warming up their bats, and many high school seniors are getting ready for what’s considered a rite of passage. Prom. While prom is an exciting time for teens, this formal gala also can cause more anxiety than final exams for students AND their parents. As the mom of a son who is now a sophomore in college, I feel for guys who are pressured to come up with the perfect “promposal.” It’s not enough to ask the girl to the dance with flowers and a stuffed teddy bear; now he’s expected to plan something nothing short of a flash mob dance in the school cafeteria that goes viral on YouTube. Three Ways to Prepare Your Teen for Prom Girls have their own drama. If shopping with my 16-year-old daughter for last year’s sequined, one-shoulder homecoming dress and glittery stilettos is any indication of how stressful it will be for us to agree on a long prom gown…God help us. Of course we want our teens to enjoy prom and make special memories before their friends go their separate ways in college. However, the sobering fact is prom is often associated with hundreds of alcohol-related injuries and accidents on the road. Safety, therefore, is our top priority. Discuss Peer Pressure Hopefully, you’ve had “The Talk” about the consequences of alcohol, reckless driving, drug use, sexual activity and peer pressure, all of which peak during prom season. Now is the time for a refresher course on these high-risk behaviors, so talk openly about your concerns and establish a safety plan if problems should arise. Most importantly, assure them that they can contact you—no matter what time of night—and you will bring them home. Set Expectations Agree on acceptable rules for prom night, such as a reasonable curfew, driving or riding in a car with friends, and checking in throughout the evening. If your teen rents a limo with friends, check out the limo company’s rules about alcohol. Host An After-Party What happens after prom is usually more fun than the dance because teens can kick back, watch movies with their closest friends, and pig out on everything from pizza to pancakes. I encourage my teens to invite their friends to continue the celebration at our home as long as it’s not an open party and no booze. If they prefer to party somewhere else, know where the parents stand