In the movies, teen house parties start with the parents leaving town and end with a visit from the cops. Major themes: alcohol, drugs, and gratuitous sex. But do real life parties really resemble every parent’s worst nightmare? ParentingTeensOnline™ asked parents and teens about their parties.
What are the house rules when teens give parties at home?
“We’ve never really talked about it, but there’s no alcohol, drugs, or sex allowed.”
Jenna, West Springfield, MA, parent of a girl, 4, and boy, 13, and stepparent of two girls, 18 and 19, and boy, 16
“I don’t have specific rules, but there’s obviously no drinking. I always know who’s here and there are no uninvited guests. There’s no running around the neighborhood.”
Lisa, Albany, NY, parent of two girls, ages 14 and 16
“A parent has to be there and there’s no alcohol. If I were ever to throw a party, it would be embarrassing to have a parent there because kids wouldn’t really want to do anything. We’re more comfortable when we’re not being watched.”
Max, 17*
How are the rules enforced?
“There’s always a parent home during the parties. Every once in a while, we’ll stop in and see what they’re doing, embarrass them a little. They know it’s all in good fun.”
Paul, Albany, NY, parent of two girls, ages 14 and 16
“The kids know they can’t have a party if my husband and I aren’t home, and we’ll ask our neighbor to watch things for us if we’re leaving town.”
Jenna
“If someone doesn’t stop doing something wrong, I’d tell them that they have to leave because I could get in trouble for it.”
Joseph, 13