Prom Spot - Parents & Prom: Tips for Hosting a Post-Prom Party

If you've arranged to host the after-prom party at your house, breathe a long sigh of relief -- your kids will be safe, supervised, and under your watch (well, that's the idea anyway). But if you're thinking that throwing an after-prom bash is a piece of cake, think again. With so many details to attend to and pitfalls to avoid, you'll want to brush up on these basics.

Find Stand-In Chaperones
Having their parents around during an after-prom party (or, well, any party) can be anything but fun for your teen. Still, your kids do need adult supervision, especially on prom night. So what's a parent to do? Kate Kelly, author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Parenting a Teenager, offers this suggestion: "Set up a system where the parents aren't there. Some parents bring in professional security personnel or neutral adults as stand-ins. It's a lot less intimidating."

Set a No Tolerance Policy
If you set clear limits from the get-go, you can avoid problems later on. That means no drinking, drugs, smoking, or rowdy behavior. Many parents use a technique called the lock-in. Once the teens are in the house, they're in for the night. The lock-in prevents kids from bringing in alcohol and other illegal substances from outside. You should also make sure to lock all closets, so no one sneaks in for unsupervised fun. And watch out for gate-crashers. Make a list of everyone who will be attending -- and don't allow anyone in past a certain hour.

Recruit Other Parents
The fact that you've volunteered to host an after-prom is applause-worthy, but that doesn't mean you should take on the brunt of the financial and planning responsibility. The larger the network of parents that you work with, the more money you'll be able to raise for decorations, refreshments and, most importantly, security. Remember, you're providing peace of mind for many parents, so don't be shy about asking for help. "Parents need to think of this early," Kate Kelly confirms. "It's important to plan early for budgeting. Get as big a network of parents as you can."

Plan Some All-Nighter Fun
It's not easy keeping a group of unruly kids entertained all night long. The key to a great post-prom party is to provide your guests with all the resources, then let them decide what they want to do. Encourage everyone to bring a sleeping bag and pillow. Make sure to have plenty of music, food, and games around as well. Plan to make a big, hearty breakfast in the morning. Or get all the food and supplies together and let the kids cook on their own. They'll be having so much fun, the time will just naturally fly by.

Safeguard Your Home
As the hosts of the party, you'll have to plan for every contingency. And while you don't want to go overboard, do make an extra effort to safety-proof your home. Prepare a first-aid kit, and get emergency numbers from all your guests. Rearrange your furniture for easy movement (and put any breakables safely away) and make sure entry areas are well lit. Last, make sure to have a fire extinguisher on hand.

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--Elina Furman