It’s an obvious fact of life that some of the most joyous occasions can often turn into some of the most dangerous disasters. When we’re having fun and enjoying ourselves, we often forget to be careful and observe proper safety rules. This is part of the reason that big parties and occasions are often the scenes of injuries.
It’s spring in America, so that means that high schools across the country are having prom. This is an event that is cherished by young people for all the romance that it involves. It’s a huge event that they have been looking forward to for years. It’s also the last big hurrah that marks the end of school and the beginning of adult life.
Sadly, it has also taken on an aspect or irresponsibility and danger, largely because many young people decide to use prom as an excuse to use drugs and alcohol. It is the use of these drugs that make prom season responsible for the injuries and deaths of more young people than any other time of the year.
In order for young people to have a fun prom season that you’ll remember fondly for years, they need to also ensure that they have a safe prom season. Narconon Arrowhead is here to give several tips for parents on how to make that happen.
Make sure you know the exact plans of your teen
Your teenage children will very likely want to go out for the light and keep their plans to themselves. They are already chomping at the bit to act like adults, and they want you to treat them like adults. If they don’t have to tell you what their plans are, then they can be “flexible” and end up doing whatever they want and going wherever they want.
This is actually a very bad idea, because many of the night’s paths may lead to indulging in drugs and alcohol. If you don’t know where your teen is going to be and who she is going to be hanging out with, she can get away with a lot. Don’t be permissive about this. Talk to your teen and ensure that you have approved her plans for the night.
Talk to your teen about the dangers of drugs and alcohol
If your child doesn’t know the real risks of using alcohol or drugs on prom night, he is very likely to dismiss what he has heard from adults in the past and to use whatever his friends are offering. Before prom night arrives, you need to talk to your teen about what the actual effects of alcohol and drugs are.
This requires that you first educate yourself, of course. After you have studied up, you need to have a frank discussion where you show your child that you aren’t just trying to be a buzz kill. If your kids know that you are telling them this info because you genuinely care about them and want them to have fun, they will be much more likely to listen.
Have contact info already
Before your teen heads out for the night, make sure that you have contact info (at least a phone number) for one of your child’s friends. If your child doesn’t show up by curfew, you can contact the friend (or better yet, another parent) in order to find out where your child is. In many cases there won’t be any actual risk present, but it’s good to be prepared for the minority of situations where drugs and alcohol have entered the scene and you need to do something about it.
References:
PRWeb.com: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/05/prweb11844821.htm