Talking Prom… Conversations to Have

Posted on Feb 22, 2013 in News by emhamilton 0 Comments

As excitement enters the air, parents and teens have so many things to consider as they prepare for the night: hair, clothes, flowers…  With all of this to think about, BN Parents wants to make sure parents remember to have conversations with their teens about alcohol and discuss ways to handle risky situations that involve alcohol.

For this reason, partnerships have been formed with all of the Bloomington-Normal high schools and many of the local florists to get information to parents to assist with planning for the big night. The ultimate goal is to encourage critical thinking and planning before the event. Some of the key items BN Parents suggests adding to the to-do list include:

• Get a complete itinerary, including who your teen will be partying with.
• Fill out a Prom Night Agreement and talk specifically about how he/she can handle difficult situations such as being offered a ride by an intoxicated driver or being offered alcohol or drugs.
• Insist there be no changes made to the itinerary without your prior approval. Be awake when your prom-goer returns home.
• * Most importantly, remind them you love them, trust in their ability to make good decisions and you are there to partner with them to keep them safe!

It might also be wise to remind them:

• Of the Zero Tolerance Law – it is illegal for anyone under 21 to drive with any detectable alcohol in their bloodstream.
• Bad decisions at key moments like prom and graduation can influence the future.
• It is not just driving that you are concerned about.

More detailed information can be found at www.BNParents.org. Additionally, Parents of juniors and seniors can expect to receive a postcard in the mail 2-3 weeks prior to the event reminding them to talk with their teen about alcohol along with some tips for successful planning with their teen. On many of the schools’ websites, a Prom Night Agreement can be downloaded and utilized as a planning tool to ensure a safe evening. At the florists, parents will find another reminder with some last minutes tips as their teens head out for the evening.