I Survived a Teen Coed Sleepover

"Mom, can I have a coed sleepover" is a plea any parent hears with dread. Teens especially have learned when to spring these controversial statements on innocent, unsuspecting parents.

I can't say I was caught completely unaware or was even shocked. I had heard through the parental grapevine this was a new trend, but thought it the stuff of urban legend, like parents who provide alcohol to their children's friends in their own homes or what was REALLY taking place in the closet during the modern version of Spin the Bottle.

I didn't actually know anyone who allowed a coed sleepover even though my daughter assured me "everyone" was doing it. Oh, I replied in perfect parental postulating, and if "everyone" jumped off a cliff, would you jump too?

She rolled her eyes and then started marshalling her arguments in the most grown up tones she could muster. First, it's Prom Night. For you parents with much younger children, Prom Night has a magical quality, second only to a girl's wedding day and therefore is to be approached with the same reverence and planning.

Second, our house is the closest to the high school where the Post Prom party takes place. Again, for those of you not from our part of the USA, the local high school holds an after prom party from midnight to four in the morning. Why it isn't all night, I cannot fathom, since having them drive at 4 AM seems ludicrous but that is how it is done. At this point I was starting to grind my teeth, a typical physical reaction when I thought I was being "got around."

Third, the limo will drop us here after the Prom; we'll change, go to Post Prom and then come back here. By then we'll all be sooo tired, we'll just crash. Really, Mom, do you think we want to have sex at four in the morning with all of our friends here? Not that I'm having sex at any time, she hastily added.

I retreated using the time honored line; I'll discuss this with your father.

In the end, she got her way. And, I must admit, there was no wild orgy, drinking, drugging or any other inappropriate behavior. Lightening didn't strike the house either although I thought it might. The kids came home, safe and sound; having had a memorable evening they will remember for the rest of their lives.

So, there you have it. A coed sleepover can be successful if you know the kids, provide rules, supervision and pancakes in the morning. As for me, I almost stopped grinding my teeth when she said, Mom, the college I'm applying to has coed dorms!!