I had a lot of trouble making a decision about allowing 14 yr old DS to go to a slumber party tonight. The boy is a nice kid, and the boys have stayed over here and at his house before. Last year, he had some problems in school with behavior and grades, so his parents sent him away to military school. He is due to go back soon, so they allowed him to have a pool/slumber party with all the guys here before he goes. I did speak to the Mom to verify the parents would be home, and that everything was on the up and up.

I am concerned because one of the other boys going, is one of the biggest potheads in DS's school. He is also the kid with the parents who have bad enough judgment to allow underage drinking parties to go on at their house. Which is why DS is NEVER allowed over there, and I usually manage to keep him from hanging out with him at all.

I talked to DS about how to handle it if this kid brings pot or booze to the party. I feel pretty confident that he would make the right decision... However, ALL Teenagers have Brain Damage - so you just never know!

I know we cannot keep him in a bubble, we can only hope to provide him with the tools to make the right decisions on his own. It just is really hard every-time we have to choose when to give him a little more freedom!