Thank you but no

So here in Senior land, it is time for Prom.

Having a boy, while fun in the abstract, totally sucks for dances. You never see the complete couple. Picking a new colored shirt for the suit in no way compares to picking out a prom dress. You get to order the corsage and imagine it on someones wrist.

So I've done all that. Ordered the limo. Made the dinner reservations. Ordered the corsage. Bought the new shirt. My job is done.

Until today.

One of my friends brought up drinking, specifically renting a hotel room for after the dance complete with alcohol. I drink. I make jokes about drinking. I am in no way comfortable with my underage son drinking. Not in my house. Not at a hotel room. I have made this clear to him, which didn't really need to be said to begin with, since he doesn't drink.

I don't hide my head in the sand. Drinking is a HUGE part of a teenager's life. Commercials and TV shows glamorize it. The school has monthly meetings about the effects of alcohol. We have known of accidents that have destroyed lives due to drinking. Yet, it remains a constant concern.

It seems the parents are in two camps. Those that say no, absolutely not. And those that say kids will be kids, as long as they don't drink and drive what can you do. Oh! I don't know, say NO!

I say no but I also say if it happens CALL ME. I will come. Don't do something stupid, dangerous, life altering. I would rather deal with him drinking then him dying. Or killing someone.

Yesterday was Senior skip day. Even at the picnic the seniors had, there are the photos for all to see of beer, vodka. It is not hidden. No one is scared of getting caught. There is no fear. It seems to be out of control.

So this stick in the mud mother, said no to the hotel room. Said yes to a extra hour in the limo with a bottle of sparkling apple cider driving around the city. Said yes to ordering the most expensive dessert the restaurant had to offer. Said no to drinking. Said yes that all the vices shall be yours, when the time is right. When you have full understanding that the decisions you make, carry heavy responsibilities.

I keep my cell phone close, my fingers crossed, I open the door and let him go. It is hard.