In our family
the teens have always known that the rule is not to spend time at
another home without a parent present. When they are invited to a
gathering we call ahead to speak to the parent and be sure there will
be supervision. If we do not know the family and their attitude
towards smoking, alcohol, drugs, teen sexual activities we ask
specifically and meet the parents when bringing the teens to the
party, whether it is a birthday party or just hanging out. There have
been some opportunities to be with a close friend of the same gender
at home without parents, but this only happens with teens we have
spent time getting to know and whose parents also know our family and
agree to the unsupervised time. Of course the teens think this is
completely excessive, but we are firm on this way of keeping them
safe.
Mom of a 17 year old boy and 15 year old girl
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