FOR A GREAT PARTY WITH A HAPPY ENDING

When Your Teen Is Giving a Party

• Plan in Advance. Check party plans with your teenager and know the guest list. If you monitor the guest list, you can help prevent party crashers.
  
  
• Set a Time Limit. Set a definite start and ending; not too long.
  
  
• Agree to Rules Ahead of Time. These might include: no alcohol or other drugs; no smoking, no party crashers allowed; lights on at all times; guest must not leave and then return to the party; and designated off-limits rooms.
  
  
• Know your Responsibilities. The responsible adult should be visible and aware.  You're legally responsible for anything that might happen to a minor who has been served alcohol or other drugs at your home.
  
  
• Invite Another Parent or Couple Over. Other adults provide company to you during a long evening and can help with problems. Also, if parents have driven teenagers to your home, you might consider inviting them in to meet you.

When Your Teen is Going to a Party

• Call the Host. Before giving permission to attend a party make sure it will have adult supervision and that no alcohol will be allowed.
  
  
• Check the Party Plans Beforehand. Know where your teenager is going and with whom. Call an adult at the party location to ensure that it will be adequately chaperoned and whether the parent is aware of the scheduled party. When taking your teenager to a party, wait to see that he or she is inside the home. If you do not know the parents, take a moment to introduce yourself.
  
  
• Make it Easy for Your Teenager to Leave a Party. If there is drinking or drug taking or any other reason that your teen wishes to leave the party, make arrangements so that your teen can call you or other designated adult who will pick them up. Urge your teen NEVER to ride with a driver who has been drinking or using drugs. You might have an understanding that there will be no punishments or restrictions for calling to pick them up.
  
  
• ALWAYS BE UP TO GREET YOUR TEENAGER WHEN HE OR SHE RETURNS HOME FROM A SOCIAL GATHERING.

When you are going to be away

• Establish rules for your teenager before you go away, whether it is for the evening, a weekend, or a longer period of time.  Word can spread very quickly that parents are away and a party can easily get out of hand.  You may trust your  child,  but  it is not unheard of  for their friends or friends of friends  to show up with alcohol and decide to have a party when you are not home.