Parents want to protect their children from making the kind of mistakes that can derail their fledgling futures. They should also be aware that teenagers haven’t fully developed all areas of their brains.
The part that’s lacking is the frontal cortex, the part necessary for making decisions and thinking before acting. This can contribute to some especially dangerous choices, e.g., drinking and driving on prom night.
Help teens avoid bad choices on prom night
If you are concerned that your son or daughter could succumb to peer pressure and drink and drive on prom night, you are on the right track. Have a low-key series of conversations with your teen about the perils of underage drinking and driving.
Tell your teen that if they do wind up drinking alcohol or taking drugs with friends on prom night that they can call you at any hour for a safe ride home. Let them know that the consequences will be addressed later when they are sober. The most important thing is to keep your child (and those they might encounter on the roads) safe from harm.
Be your teen’s advocate after a DUI arrest
A conviction for drunken driving can be life-altering for a teenager, both in the short- and long term. Scholarships, public benefits, financial aid and even enrollment in certain schools can be canceled after criminal convictions.
Any time a teen gets arrested, their future hangs in the balance. Make sure that your teen understands they have the right to remain silent after an arrest until they get the opportunity to seek legal guidance.