Limousines, hotel rooms and other ‘luxuries’ merely invite
trouble for your child. It simply isn’t necessary
It’s prom season, making it a good time for some common sense tips for parents of high school students.
Parents ought to keep three overarching principles in mind: moderation in all things, don’t condone dangerous behavior and set high standards.
Parents should feel empowered to limit spending. Obscene amounts of money on what amounts to a high school party don’t make the event extra special. Many families are struggling in the face of sky-high gas prices, and even for those parents who can afford to go all-out for prom, it’s worth seriously considering what lessons are being taught to the children.
Even more important in the short term is the principle of not condoning dangerous behavior.
It’s tempting for parents to say “yes” to renting hotel rooms and limousines on the theory that, no matter what, students are going to drink during prom. That’s a quasi endorsement, however, and making it easy to drink will likely lead those who otherwise would not imbibe to do just that. As for renting a hotel room, that, too, is simply a key that can unlock a room filled with trouble.
So, if you must rent a limo, make sure the driver takes jackets and purses from the students and puts them in the trunk before the limo leaves. That simple step makes it much harder for students to bring hidden alcohol into the limo. And of course, make certain the limo isn’t stocked.
Finally, talk to your kids. Instead of expecting dangerous behavior, set high standards and enforce clearly established consequences for failure to meet those standards.
Prom is a special high school event where lifelong memories are made. Let’s do what we can to make sure those memories don’t include hangovers, drinking and driving, bad decisions made under the influence of alcohol or lives lost in a tragic and senseless car accident.
