<p>Whenever my kids ask me if they could go to a party, I always ask, “Could I call the parents.” If the answer is no, then they couldn’t go. My older daughter has tried once or twice by saying, “The parents are not going to be there, some kids may bring some alcohol, but I promise I won’t drink.” The answer was still no.</p>
<p>Before our older daughter could drive, we would drive her to and from every party. It gave us a good opportunity to meet the parents. It also prevented her from driving with any friend that may be DUI. It definitely put a damper on our social life because we had to be available to drive her. We struck a deal, she could go out one night and we could go out on a different night. When she got her license, she started driving herself, but I always waited up for her to make sure she was sober when she came home. </p>
<p>Our older daughter never disappointed us. As she got older, closer to HS graduation, she would tell us there would be some drinking at her close friend’s house. she always asked us if we wanted to pick her up or allowed her to sleep over.</p>