Way back when...Prom Night

Prom.

Is there much need to say more? I'm sure you all remember it, but I'm not so sure that this generation will.

It would seem that not much has changed since your junior and senior proms: nervous guys fearing rejection get up the courage to ask a girl as their date, the girls, in turn, care 10x more about the dress than anything else and spend hours shopping for "the one" weeks in advance, restaurant reservations are debated, hair appointments are made, you know the drill. It can be a stressful, but fun and exciting time for the upperclassmen.

But let's face it. The buzz about prom isn't really about the dance. It's about "after prom." That's when the fun begins.

The kids drive up, and the beer comes out, and there's no telling what happens next. You wake up not knowing how much you drunk, who you made out with, or how far you went.
Here's the classic dialogue:
   
    Kid: Hey, my friend's having a party after prom. Can I sleepover at her house?
    Mom: Which friend?
    Kid: Uh, you know, Jane.

CAUTION! This is a trap! "Sleepover" is code for getting drunk, "hooking up", and getting high. It's an allibi, in a sense. That's not to say that Jane isn't having a sleepover at her house, but she may be having 50 kids over, and if one doesn't show up, Jane probably won't notice.
 
  Let your kid know how beautiful prom night can be. Don't let her sacrifice herself and her reputation (as so many people do). You don't need to party hard to make prom night special. It already is. So make sure your teen makes prom a memorable night, and one she can actually remember.

Moms, Listen Up!

     So, here it goes. I am a rogue teen, and this is my mission: to inform desperate mothers across the globe of what is really happening in high school. I will disclose what other teens won't dare tell their mothers. I will delve into serious issues that all teenagers face. I will discuss drugs, peer pressure, cliques, insecurities, grades, dating, student-teacher relationships, depression, the dreaded "s" word (sex), and so much more. Secrets are coming out, so Moms, listen up!
     First, you should know a little about me. On the outside, I'm your average teen. I go to school, do my homework, hang out with friends, text, and have a room with dirty clothing for a floor. But on the inside, I'm a bit different. I grew up going to a religious school, and that has made me an extremely moral girl. I don't cheat, don't lie, and definitely don't steal. I am a careful decision maker, and I only do what I am comfortable doing with my body. I work hard to do my best and be my best. I don't participate in a lot of the stereotypical "teen activities," but I'm definitely not clueless about them. I've dipped into all different social circles. I've been a cheerleader, a track runner (though not a very good one), a nerd, and a nature gal. This year I had my first boyfriend whom I dated for almost six months. I've been bullied and pressured, and that's only the beginning. I've been in many situations and can relate to many teens. I can read my classmates and pick up on little things here and there. I am a caring person, and I want all teens to have a chance at a good life. Though they may not want to share this with you, I will.