<p>Sounds like we are on the right track. We’ve got the “girls” and “boys” sleeping areas identified, and I will do the massive shopping tomorrow. I told my s if there was going to be a strip poker game, I wanted to come down to take pictures. He quickly retorted "gee mom- having pictures of naked underage teens is a really smart thing to have around the house! " I think we are on the same page.</p>
<p>I like the alcohol policy-- but I don’t want to make my s have to police his own party. He does understand the sarety rule and that they need to come to us if anyone is not well. We wil be in and out also-- to "clean up’ and “freshen the food”</p>
<p>Thanks, roshke!
Update: I hit Sams and Costco today! Have more food than I know what to do with, and lots of the kids’ parents are sending food as well. Did I mention we were also ordering pizzas? I must say I am enjoying taking full advantage of having s clean the basement for the party :)</p>
<p>I haven’t read all the responses in detail, but here is some advice from a grizzled vetern of teen parties…</p>
<p>Beware of the cell-phone growth that develops when kids find out about a happening place.</p>
<p>Beware of kids being extremely clever about smuggling in alcohol. This may include finding a way to get into your yard and burying supplies ahead of time. It may also include kids being very open and upfront as they come in with their overnight supplies - “Oh, Hi, Mr. and Mrs. X, I just have my toothbrush and change of clothes, and some bottles of water.” Bottles may be filled with vodka.</p>
<p>Beware of a answering the door and checking out kids, when in fact they may be creating a diversion. (Others sneaking in through a side entrance.)</p>
<p>Consider having other parents join you for some of the evening. </p>
<p>Don’t go to sleep until you know all your guests have.</p>
<p>meredithv has some good advice! Also, keep an eye on your washer and dryer. My sister’s friends hid their booze in there when she had a party many moons ago. She got caught when my mom found an empty beer can in the washer the next morning. :O</p>
<p>I know about the water/sprite bottle thing, and I plan to be chacking around the basement door for contraband. Since most are arriving in the limo (it holds 18!) a few are leving their cars here during the day tomorrow. Maybe I’ll just have to walk by slowly and peek in the windows.</p>
<p>The good news is, most of the kids can’t drive past midnight (have to be 18 and these kids are juniors) so I dont expect many late arrivals. I will do a head count. I am about to post a “don’t even think about it” sign on my wine cellar. Also will be labelling the girls/guys sleeping quarters. I will probably be posting trhroughout the night tomorrow… stay tuned…</p>
<p>countdown’s…
HAHAHAHAHA. Thats rich! Our laundry room is on the main floor of the house. I suspect they’ll find hiding places in the basement. It is going to rain, so I am not too worried about an outdoor stash.</p>
<p>Be sure and check the furnace. A friend found a stash of beer behind the furnace when he was servicing it—kids had forgotten they hid it there.</p>
<p>Another parent I know found a stash of empties in the insulation in the ceiling of their unfinished part of basement when they had to pull it down for plumbing repairs.</p>
<p>We will be thinking of you tomorrow night—if I’m up late, I’ll be checking the thread for updates!!</p>
<p>I doubt that rain would stop some kids! (Maybe a blizzard and frozen tundra?) </p>
<p>Also beware of the parents whose attitude is “Kids will be kids”. That’s easy for them to say when they aren’t assuming any liability.</p>
<p>I do think that putting too much responsibilty for policing on one’s kid is unfair. (I’m not saying that you are doing this since I haven’t “analysed” all of the above posts, but keep it in mind.) He/she deserves to have fun, too.</p>
<p>Some unnamed son decided he would outsmart the host by taking a spare set of keys to his car. Mom collected keys at the door so the kids could not leave as well as checked their overnight bags. Son figured he could return to his car by way of the basement door without the host knowing and retrieving the beer hidden in his trunk. </p>
<p>What this otherwise smart son didn’t think of was his very smart mother finding the paper bag from the ez mart in her trash can with the receipt in the bag. Now this ez mart is not near the neighborhood so mom was a bit curious as to what had to be purchased 25 minutes from the house. Mom called host mom and said check son’s belongings as there most likely is beer there. Car was checked (with the keys son left at the door) and low and behold, there was beer in the trunk!!</p>
<p>Son admitted to host mom (mother to his best friend and close friend of his own mother) that he had an extra set of keys in his pocket! Said son was given an A for originality and the privilege of handing the beer over to the host father!!</p>
<p>Take the keys, separate the sleeping arrangements, no crashers allowed. Been there done that. It is hell on the beauty sleep…specially when u check on them every so often. Call the parents if you see someone who looks sick! Thanks to all those who give the kids a “safe” parental hangout!
PS. Tell your kid that any “bottles” will be confiscated…then do it!</p>
<p>We did this a few years ago and it actually was fun. I said no alcohol or drugs allowed - D respected and agreed. D had a good bunch of friends but some of the dates were unknown. We took keys at a certain time (i had a case years ago where student died and one lost his leg due to after prom accident due to fatigue only - no alcohol or drugs - and I was haunted by that case) and I had touched base with most of the parents. Had a bonfire so could hear the kids and get a sense of whether there was any trouble brewing. D did not want to be in the position of policing so I suspect anyone who wanted to really party moved on before we started collecting keys at about 2 am. Had a big breakfast and enjoyed it a lot but we love D’s friends. Good luck.</p>
<p>Lots of interesting stories-- My hair is greying by the minute…
I will try hourly updates-- if I can stay awake!</p>
<p>There is some trouble in paradise. DS isnt sure what’s up, but he’s been getting IM’s from his date that her fa was not going to let her go to the prom. Now he is letting her go to the prom but not to our after-party. I am not sure of all the details. We offered to meet the parents (don’t know them-- and they are each divorced and remarried) but will have to asit to see what shakes out.<br>
Hmmmmmmmm. I don’t have girls so can’t totally relate, but I do understand.</p>
<p>She must have done something pretty huge for the dad to think about cancelling prom the night before. Hope the kids have a great time at the prom and your house. I look forward to reading about the party after you sleep all day Sunday.</p>
<p>How about inviting the Mom or Dad over for the “early” part of the evening - like 1am-2:30am to help you out so she could come for a little while. And if no, I have known other Proms where girl couldn’t go to after party (usually those at beach or hotel) and dateless person had a great time anyway.</p>
I think we are on the same page.</p>
finding the paper bag from the ez mart in her trash can with the receipt in the bag. Now this ez mart is not near the neighborhood so mom was a bit curious as to what had to be purchased 25 minutes from the house. Mom called host mom and said check son’s belongings as there most likely is beer there. Car was checked (with the keys son left at the door) and low and behold, there was beer in the trunk!!</p>