The School Dance Checklist

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	Decide on dinner	An older teen going to prom or homecomming might enjoy taking his or her date out to a restaurant before the dance. Help your child find something fun within his or her budget. Or consider setting a menu and doing a special candle-lit dinner party (or date!) at home.


	Discuss date safety and safe sex with your child	Be sure to sit down with your teen and discuss safe sex and date safety. Go over your family's philosophy, make sure your teen knows what is expected of him or her, and offer tips on what he or she can do to get out of an unwanted situation.


	Discuss drinking with your child	Make sure your teenager understands your expectations when it comes to drinking. Also, be sure to go over how she or he can avoid getting into a car with a friend who may have been drinking. Set up a plan for you to either pick up your daughter or son if needed, provide taxi fare home, or set up another "safety net" ahead of time.


	Learn about pre- or post-dance gatherings	Does your school offer a pre- or post-dance party or other activity? Some highschools have "lock ins" where kids can dance all night, play video games, watch movies, and do other fun activities with friends after a formal. Find out what's available to your teen and help him/her make the best decision regarding how to spend time before and after the dance.


	Discuss safe transportation to and from the dance with your teen	Make sure that your teen has a safe way to and from the dance. Renting a limo, taking a taxi, or driving with a good friend (or you or another parent) are all possiblities.


	Be ready to take photos of your teen on the big night!	Find your battery charger or extra batteries, make sure your digital camera is working or load up on film, and be ready to take pictures of your teen and his or her friends before they head out to the big dance!


	Discuss an "escape plan"	Be sure to set up a descreet and safe way for your teen to remove him or herself from a potentially dangerous or unwanted situation. Your "escape plan" may simply be a keyword used when your daughter calls to check in after the dance, or a text message your son can send, or something simila. The key is that you and your child find something he or she is comfortable with using should the need arise.


	Make sure cell phones are charged and ready to go	Get out those chargers and make sure the family cell phones are ready to go for a safe night out.


	Set a curfew	Be sure that you and your teen establish a curfew before the night begins.