As children grow older and enter their teen years, they start to enjoy going places and doing things. It can be hard for parents of teens to get used to allowing their teenager to go out at night with friends and not have an adult around supervising their activities. You can feel more comfortable letting your teen go when you feel you have set up the best possible assurances that they will be safe.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: n/a
Here's How:
- Talk to your teen about the overall privilege of going out with friends. Share that you are nervous, but that you want your teen to have some independence and enjoy their time out.
- Set the guidelines: you will need to know where they are going, what they are doing and who they are with. Use this parenting contract on going out with friends unsupervised if you want it down in black and white.
- Ask for the names and phone numbers of their friends' parents. Build a list in your address book.
- Curfews are a must. Your teen should have a clear time of when they are expected to be home and in the door. It will also put your mind at ease knowing when your teen is coming home.
- Reserve the right to check up on them, even if it is to make you feel better about what your teen is doing.
- Reinforce the no drugs and no drinking rules by discussing your family’s views on underage use of alcohol or drugs. Ask that these rules be respected each night your teen goes out.
Tips:
- Start slow. Allowing your young teen to go to the movies with a group of friends where you drop off and pick up is a good start for your want-to-be-independent teen.
- If your teen is going to be at a friend’s house for a party, you should call and check about adult supervision. Teen parties should always be supervised.
Parenting Quizzes for Parents of Teens
