Tips for Parents

If your teen is giving a party 

• Help your teenager plan the party. Make a guest list and invite only a specific number of people.
• Have your child pass out or send invitations and try to avoid the "open party" situation.
• Don't send e-mail invitations. They can be forwarded to a large number of people quickly and you lose control of who has this information.
• Put your phone number on the invitation and welcome calls from parents.
• Set rules ahead of time such as no alcohol, drugs or tobacco. Set a start and end time for the party.
• Let attendees know that if they leave, they can't come back. • Have plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Plan some activities such as music, games, movies, etc.
• Let your neighbors know in advance there will be a party and that you will be there to supervise. Familiarize yourself with the noise ordinance in your area.
• Limit the party access to a certain area of the house/property.
• Have a plan for dealing with vehicles. Include parking information on your party invitation.
• Call parents of any teen who arrives in possession of alcohol or under the influence. If you can't get in touch with the parents, keep the teen there or call the police if necessary. You can be civilly liable if you know they have been drinking and you let them leave.
• Secure all forms of alcohol, firearms and other potentially hazardous items in your home in a safe place.
• Make regular and unobtrusive visits to the party area with sensitivity to teens' needs for privacy and independence.
• Invite some other parents to help chaperone if there will be a large number of teenagers