Below is a note one of my grandsons sent to some of his friends. He and his girlfriend, high school juniors, were planning a post-prom party at his house. They made up the following rules to govern conduct at the party and had them approved by his parents. (Which is the way I think house rules should be decided.) He and she also decided what the punishment would be for an infraction of the rules. Eventhough he has one of the top five GPA’s in his class he is not a geek; he plays in the marching band and is the kind of guy you would want your teens to have for a friend. I sure am proud of him! I have deleted his name and the names of his parents, but the rest is exactly as he wrote it.
“Hey, guys, in case I haven’t told you yet, you’re invited to an after-party at my house! My mom just wants to make sure that everyone knows some ground rules. If you are to attend, please email her at XXXXXXXX.net with a confirmation that you understand and agree to these rules.
Rules and Regulations for the After-prom Party:
‘Because we care about you…”
1. All rules and regulations enumerated herein have been agreed upon by Mr. and Mrs. XXXXXXXX, and all attendees of the after-party must abide by the following or parents will be notified to collect the offending person (s).
2. No non-prescription drugs, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, alcohol, tobacco, club drugs, inhalants, mushrooms, narcotics, etc. are allowed.
3. No friends of invitees permitted unless they were invited by the host couple (John Doe and Jane Poe).
4. After quiet time (2:50 a.m. ±) begins, girls are to be confined to the guest room and guys are to be confined to the upstairs level. Mr. and Mrs.XXXXXXXX will be sleeping in the hallway/staircase region to prevent “purple” rooms.
5. No intense intimate relations. Mr. XXXXXXXX defines intimate as “anything more than a chaste kiss. Leave room for the Holy Spirit.”
6. All guests must depart by 9:00 a.m. (to be changed?).
7. After the party, all guests must help to clean up (spills, trash, messes, etc.).
8. All guests must stay within the presence of others, and nobody/no small groups of people are allowed outside unless all are willing to go outside. House alarms will be set upon the group’s arrival from prom.
9. Do not do anything that you do not want Mr. XXXXXXXX to put pictures of on Facebook.
10. Be nice, no drama please.
11. If you wish to bring a movie(s), it(they) must be rated G, PG, or PG-13. All other movies will be confiscated.
12. If you wish to bring video games, they must be EC, E, E10+, or T. All other video games will be confiscated. If one wishes to bring a video game system(s), that (those), too, is (are) allowed.
13. Music considered offensive by Mr. and Mrs. XXXXXXXX is not allowed either. If you would not go up to them and speak the lyrics to them conversationally, do not play that song.
14. Forbidden activities include Laptag, Spin the Bottle, Truth or Dare?, etc. Other activities can be forbidden on the spot by Mr. and Mrs. XXXXXXXX
15. The 10 Commandments are in effect at all times. A list of these is posted in the kitchen to aid anyone who might not understand them completely.”
If you are sorry your kids were not invited let them plan their own party. Just copy my grandsons rules and have a great time!