Warning Signs Your Child Threw a House Party When You Were Away: A Parent's Guide

If you think your child might have thrown a house party when you were away, it's crucial to know the signs and how to spot them. Here are the stories of three parents who came back from weekend trips to find evidence of parties, and the lessons they learned.

Lesson from A High Schooler and Two Siblings Named John and Alex

During my time in high school, my parents left for Cape Cod for the weekend. My brother and I decided to throw a house party, a move that many high school students would have deemed necessary. We cleaned up the house as much as possible, but neglected the beer pong table left on the front porch, where remnants of its use had been left behind.

Even more interesting, we forgot to address the situation of my friend's water and coke being mixed into a tequila bottle. After we had emptied it, we were overwhelmed with regret when they confessed that over a hundred kids had been at the house. My oldest daughter and niece helped direct traffic, and the boys had even held a boxing match in the garage, not without some unfortunate incidents in my room.

Warning Signs from the White House Party of a Teenage Band Member

When I was 17, my parents left for several days. Being a member of a band, I organized a massive house party in their house. Despite working hard to clean up all the evidence, some irreparable damage was done. A broken toilet sink and bedroom door, along with cigarette burns on the carpet, made it impossible to hide the party. A few weeks later, marijuana plants began sprouting in the planter by the front door.

Uninvited Guests and Jewelry Theft

Amidst the chaos of uninvited guests, one night a few friends brought a few more, and so on. My house was packed but more of a chill-out zone than a party. However, some irresponsible individuals left the front door open and neighbors from the neighborhood snuck in. I discovered them upstairs playing on my little brother's Sega, and when I kicked them out, they had also stolen jewelry from my mother's jewelry box. She made me pay back the value, which took me a long time. I nearly lost my home as well.

Parental Lessons and Tragic But Successful Teen

The incident with the beer bottle cap reminded me of when my son was around 16 or 17. My husband and I left for a weekend leaving our teenage son home alone with a strict no-party rule. When we got home, the house looked clean, with no beer cans or bottles in the trash and the kitchen clean. But the floor was sticky, especially near the trash can. A neighbor told us that there had been a lot of kids at the house that weekend. At the time, we were upset, but now he is 53 and a successful person, a devoted father and husband. Through all his teen years, he's done well, and I have much to be proud of.

By being aware of these signs and staying vigilant, parents can better protect their homes and children from unexpected house parties. Keep an eye out for sticky floors, unusual odors, unexplained noise, and any items that seem out of place.

Remember, communication is key. Have open and honest conversations with your children about the dangers of house parties and the importance of obeying your instructions.