Prom Spot - Parents & Prom: 10 Ways to Keep Your Teen from Drinking

It's a scary thought for parents, but the truth is that drinking is a large part of prom night. Not only do parents have to worry about their teens drinking and driving, they're concerned about binge drinking too. Help keep your son or daughter safe with these 10 tips to prevent them from drinking on prom night.

1. Conduct Breathalyzers at the Door
This may seem like an extreme measure, but it's an effective one. Teens can't fake a breathalyzer no matter how many tricks they try. Talk to the school board about conducting tests at the entrance before and after prom.

2. Sign a Prom-Promise Pact
Many schools have students sign a prom-promise pact that forbids drinking or drug use on prom night. Encourage your teen to sign or get together with other parents and teens to create your own agreement. Check out the Nationwide Prom Promise Pledge.

3. Create a Reward System
You may punish your teen when they make the wrong decision, but you also have to reward them when they make the right ones. Pressure to drink on prom night is high, so commend them for staying sober with a reward you both agree on.

4. Host a Post-Prom Party
Your teen doesn't want to attend the school-sponsored post-prom, but you still want them to be chaperoned and safe. Offer to host a post-prom party with all of their friends. Involve other parents to supplement the cost and make it a booze-free party to remember.

5. Get Their Friends Involved
There's strength in numbers, so get your teen's friends involved by having them sign a no-drinking pact or attending your chaperoned post-prom party. If their friends aren't drinking, there's less of a chance your teen will.

6. Chaperone the Prom
Make your presence known and offer to chaperone the prom. You'll be able to keep an eye on your teen throughout the dance and make sure they donvt leave early to attend a random party. Plus, they'll be better behaved under your watchful eye.

7. Explain the Consequences
Tell your teen that you have a zero-tolerance policy on drinking. Sit down and calmly explain the consequences for breaking the law and your rules. Outline strict punishments and stick to them.

8. Educate Them on the Effects of Drinking
Most schools hold a drinking and driving assembly prior to prom. Take it a step further and talk to your teen one-on-one, or consider volunteering together at a local MADD or SADD chapter so your teen sees the consequences of drinking firsthand.

9. No Questions Asked Policy
Try to stick by a "no questions asked" policy. No matter where or when, you want your teen to feel comfortable enough to call you in case of an emergency. Whether they're just tired or being pressured to drink, the important thing is that they feel comfortable enough to ask you for help.

10. Lead by Example
Teens take cues from their parents, so it's imperative to instill the importance of responsible drinking early on. Try to keep minimal (if any) amounts of alcohol in the house and always keep it locked up.

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-- Brianne DiSylvester

Photo Credit: UpperCut Images/Veer