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