New York Resident

by Victoria Pericon

With the rise of after prom parties and weekend long post prom getaways, more and more parents of high school juniors and seniors have valid worries about the supervision of their teenager at non-school sponsored celebrations. In fact, forty six percent of all fatal car crashes on typical prom weekends in 2004 involved alcohol.

In previously years, the recently closed Club Avalon and Heaven night club relaxed their 21 and over admission policy during prom season in order to admit partying high school students. This year, several websites listing “No ID” events have popped up to entice students into purchasing tickets to bashes, which in some cases will be hosted by pop celebrities.

The upcoming prom season is the number one topic, Dr. Susan S. Bartell, a psychologist specializing in teens, hears about these days from the chidren she works with and their parents. “Resist weekend-long post-prom getaways that are all about drinking, unless an adult is nearby and can check in on the partiers,” says Bartell.

When it comes to prom drinking, Denise Whitmer, the About.com Guide for Parenting Teens suggests parents let their prom-going teens “know you do not condone underage drinking for any reason. Give them a scapegoat…you. Roll play and let them use you as the excuse. Tell your teens to tell anyone who wants them to partake in drinking they’d be grounded until they’re thirty." Bartell also advises parents to “be clear about your expectations before prom and be aware of pre-prom parties that are all about getting drunk before prom.”

While many parents have teamed up to sponsor alcohol and drug-free celebrations, the challenge has been to make the party entertaining enough for students to attend. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Nationwide have teamed up to help keep teens and communities safe through the MADD BuzzFree Prom. Participating students support each other by signing the "PROMise to Keep It Safe" pledge and commit to having a safe and sober prom night. MADD BuzzFree Prom is also providing teens with a list of after prom activities which can safely extend the celebrating. From going to a late-night diner all dressed up to throwing an after prom party in a friend’s backyard, parents can assist their teens with these alternate events which do not rely on their being on the road late at night. Dr. Bartells also advises parents look out for limousine rides that provide alcohol (or at least allow the kids to bring their own).

Another safe alternative to the out-of-control prom experience would be to have the teens participate in the “Cereality” experience. Cereality Cereal Bar & Café (www.cereality.com), the “all cereal, all day” chain of restaurants will be offering after prom parties at their three cafes and does “distance catering” delivering the Cereality experience (pre-mixed buckets of favorite cereals and toppings) to homes with teens arriving for breakfast at 2AM. This is a fun way to end the prom and the children will be engaged in an activity most of them enjoy doing—eating.

This article was written by Victoria Pericon.
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