Prom Night Safety: Trust Your Teen or Your Gut? | Episode 271

It's prom season, and one mom is facing a tough call: her son wants to go to an unsupervised after-party two hours away. Other parents are saying yes. Her gut is saying no. And her son is saying he'll skip prom entirely if she doesn't let him go. Whether it's prom, spring break, or any other "big night" moment, this is a dilemma that keeps many parents up at night: Should you trust your kid, or should you trust your instincts? Dr. Lisa Damour, clinical psychologist and New York Times bestselling author, and Reena Ninan break it all down with the warmth, honesty, and research-backed guidance parents of teens actually need. No judgment. Just real talk about the hard calls parents need to make. This episode is about every high-stakes moment when your teen's desire for fun and independence collides with your responsibility to keep them safe. And it's about knowing, with confidence, that prioritizing safety IS the right call, even when it's the hard one. 💡 YOU'LL LEARN: Why your gut feeling about this isn't overreacting (and what the science says about teens, peer groups, and risk) How to hold a firm safety limit even when every other parent seems to be saying yes The "third option" strategy: how to get your teen out of all-or-nothing thinking and find an alternative you can both live with Why explaining the real risks (not just saying "no") changes the conversation entirely How to survive your teen being mad at you without caving, holding a grudge, or damaging the relationship Have you ever had to be the "strict parent" when other families said yes? How did you handle it? Drop your story in the comments. 🎓 MEET YOUR HOSTS Dr. Lisa Damour is a clinical psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and globally recognized expert on adolescent development who partners with UNICEF to support parents worldwide. Reena Ninan is an Emmy-award winning journalist, former anchor for CBS and ABC News, and mother navigating the teen years in real time. 🤝 TODAY’S SPONSORS Understood: Check out "Everyone Gets a Juice Box" wherever you listen to podcasts. OneSkin: Use the code ASKLISA for 15% off your next purchase at https://www.oneskin.co/ASKLISA. Jones Road Beauty: Use the code ASKLISA for a free Shimmer Face Oil with your first purchase at ⁠https://www.jonesroadbeauty.com⁠. Momentous: Get 5% off your first order with promo code ASKLISA at ⁠https://www.livemomentous.com⁠ ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Prom after party: trust your teen or your gut? 1:21 - Prom after-party with no supervision? 3:42 - Teen prom safety & unsupervised party risks 5:17 - Is this mom overreacting about prom? 6:26 - What if all the other parents say yes? 9:15 - An alternative safety plan for prom night 11:00 - How parents see teen drinking differently 11:27 - Why some parents allow teen drinking 13:27 - “I’ll be depressed if you say no” 14:20 - Choosing between two lousy options 15:28 - How to say no to your teen & stay close 18:15 - What can really go wrong at teen parties 20:09 - A teen’s fantasy of the perfect prom 22:56 - Be okay with your kid being mad at you 🎬 WATCH NEXT    • Should Teens Be Allowed to Drink at Home? ...      • Should Our Teen Stay Home Alone When We Le...      • What Should I Do When Other Parents Host W...   🔔 SUBSCRIBE →    / @asklisapodcast   💌 GET DR. DAMOUR’S FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER Guidance, strategies, and tips delivered straight to your inbox → https://drlisadamour.com/sign-up-for-... 📖 DR. DAMOUR’S BESTSELLING BOOKS Untangled – https://bit.ly/UntangledBook Under Pressure – https://bit.ly/UnderPressuretheBook The Emotional Lives of Teenagers – https://a.co/d/cbOmTKp 🎓 UNTANGLING 10TO20 MEMBERSHIP Premium courses & resources for teens and the adults who care for them → https://lnkd.in/gr52MB-F 🌐 VISIT DR. LISA'S WEBSITE → https://drlisadamour.com/ 🎧 LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP https://bit.ly/AskLisaApplePodcasts https://bit.ly/AskLisaSpotify ABOUT ASK LISA The essential podcast for parents of tweens and teens. Join clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan every Tuesday as they tackle real parenting challenges—from anxiety and social media to friendships, school stress, and emotional development. Get science-backed strategies, compassionate guidance, and practical solutions you can use today. New episodes every Tuesday 📅 Produced by Good Trouble Productions → https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com 📱 FOLLOW ASK LISA   / asklisapodcast     / asklisapodcast   #ParentingTeens #TeenSafety #PromNight #ParentingAdvice #RaisingTeenagers #TweensAndTeens #ParentingTips #TeenParenting #PromSeason #ParentingHelp DISCLAIMER The advice provided on this podcast does not constitute or serve as a substitute for professional psychological treatment, therapy, or other types of professional advice or intervention. If you have concerns about your child’s well-being, consult a physician or mental health professional.