Surviving TeenAge pArTieS: tips for parents
Hosting a party is a big deal for a teenager. Parents can show them how to
responsibly host one and have fun too.
Teenage parties can be enjoyable for
everyone, including the adults, so long
as there is appropriate adult supervision
and the restriction of drugs, alcohol and
uninvited guests.
a very effective way to invite selected
guests. However, the power of social
networking can also see a small party
easily escalate into something much
bigger and difficult to control.
Although many parents are naturally
apprehensive about hosting a teenager
party, parties provide important
opportunities for teenagers to mix and
gain experience in social situations.
If you let your teenager use Facebook to
invite people to their party, make sure
that the event they create is ‘closed/
private’ and that they are the only ones
who can invite guests.
During the party:
Many teenagers think they can handle
a party on their own and the last thing
they want is mum and dad hanging
around. But teenagers rarely have the
maturity or authority to deal with difficult
situations such as gate crashers or guests
turning up with alcohol or drugs.
Ask to look at the ‘invited’ list and the
‘confirmed attendees’ list and note the
number of people that have accepted
the invitation.
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know what’s going on at all times
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remember it is illegal to serve alcohol
to under 18s. Although some of the
guests may be 18 or older, it is easier
to ban alcohol than try to monitor
what each person is drinking
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provide plenty of food and nonalcoholic drinks.
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make it clear that drugs will not be
tolerated
be strict and consistent about not
admitting uninvited people.
It is vital that parents and teenagers
establish strong ground rules when
planning a party such as the number of
guests, what time the party will finish,
and that guests know beforehand that
alcohol and drugs will not be tolerated.
These days most teenagers
communicate via Facebook and other
social networking sites and it can be
Human Services
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let local police know about the party,
so they know adults will be present
and where to go if needed
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invite adult family friends to bolster
the adult presence and support
parents during the party.
Although you don’t want to be too
intrusive, supervision is crucial. Make
sure you:
Parents should also notify local police
that their teenager is having a party, so if
it gets out of hand, police can help early.
Tips for parents
Before the party:
Planning is the key to hosting a safe
party, so:
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agree on how many friends they can
invite and what time the party will end
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decide on the venue - if it’s in your
home, will there be any rooms or
areas that are off limits to the guests?
After the party:
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give your neighbours plenty of
notice about the party - they are
more likely to be understanding if
they are forewarned
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a party provides a good chance
to teach teenagers responsibility.
If they host a party, they should
be responsible for cleaning up
afterwards.
Further information, see www.mynite.com.au and
www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/youth/safe_party
February 2011
PEI-003
Sit down and talk with your teenager
before the party and establish some
strong ground rules. They should be
encouraged to be selective with their
guests and check with you about
numbers first.
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