Due to the high mortality rate of students that drove under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol after prom, many parents, teachers and faculty came up with the after prom lock in.
This was also designed to hinder the students from bringing alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs on the premises.
Students are allowed to show up for prom, but may not leave without a parent or guardian there to pick them up and they are there for the night.
Some after prom parties have been held in public areas like school gyms, but the majorities are held in private homes by dedicated parents.
No after prom party is successful without vigilant chaperones to keep watchful eyes over possibly mischievous, but well-meaning teenagers.
These chaperones are the unsung heroes of a lock in, volunteering their time when they could be home in bed.
Another option could be bringing in paid security for the teenagers that do not think it is cool to have Mom and Dad hanging around.
However, the purpose of a lock in is to make sure this younger and more rambunctious group gets to have fun without the negative affects of dangerous and sometimes lethal drugs, alcohol or activities.
The main accomplishment of a lock in is to enforce the rules set by parents and guardians.
These lock ins, as well as the rules laid down at the beginning, must be strictly enforced, or the lock in will not work.
Teenagers have a way of finding or making their own fun.
Having some pre-planned activities in line, along with some well-placed chaperons can prohibit the teenager from having the wrong kind of fun.
Overnight stays are not complete without snacks, personal sleeping bags and pillows, music and movies, games and breakfast for hungry guests the next morning.
Of course, safety equipment and the first-aid kit should be updated or replenished in case of emergencies.
Having all of these supplies will ensure the teenagers are happy and safe and the parents are comfortable in their surroundings as well.
There are professional companies that can come in and host the lock in for parents that feel a bit overwhelmed by the whole process.
These hosts can utilize the school gym for water fights, small inflatable toys to ride, arcade games, air mattresses to jump on, mechanical bulls, and much more.
They have enough entertainment to ensure the prom goers will be happy to be there and will have entertainment enough to last for hours and give memories for a lifetime.
Such companies agree to be responsible for all night DJing, and the basic constructs of a lock in that can be held at home- no students allowed in or out are kept in a public forum by professionals.
Issues like food and chaperons can be handled differently per company, so details have to be worked out before signing any contracts.
While they are still teenagers, they may not understand why parents want to go to the extremes they go to for protection.
However, taking steps like lock ins ensures they will have the opportunity to mature to a point where they not only understand, but also agree.