Curfew. Isn't that old fashioned?

If the word curfew takes you immediately back to shows like Leave it to Beaver and Father Knows Best, then either you watch a lot of Nick at Night, or you’re really old!

But seriously, setting a curfew for your teen is one of the most important safety measures you can take. A good reason to have your teen home and safe at a reasonable time is supported by a Harvard University study. It found that peak drunk driving hours are from 1am to 3pm, and that 25% of people on the road are estimated to have been drinking. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine add: Teens who think their parents are good at monitoring are the same teens who think sex is not a good idea at this time in their lives, and are less likely to intentionally pursue a sexual relationship. Suddenly a curfew not only seems like a good idea, but a necessity.

Some teens may balk at the idea of a curfew, especially if their boundaries have been very loose in the past, but this is one instance that putting your foot down is very appropriate. A good idea is to have a two-way conversation with your teen and explain to them the reasons you have for setting a curfew and then work with them on setting the time. If after negotiations your teen still does not agree with your time or with the curfew at all, you as the parent still have the final say.