Many teenagers use headphones to drown out the sounds of the real world. Music can be an escape for them, and if they are going through a difficult time, they can often relate to music and calm themselves down. Teenagers can be obsessed with a single band, song, or type of music, and they’ll often cover their walls with posters of their favorite bands or be found wearing the band’s t-shirt.
One day your teen announces that their favorite band will be in town for a concert. They claim that nothing will make them happier than attending the event. Of course, the teenager does not want their parents coming along, and they insist on going with their friends.
As a parent, you are left with the decision of allow your child to attend the concert or not. If you let them go, they will be happy, but you could spend the entire time worrying about them. If you do not let them go, they will view it as an unreasonable act and will resent you and may even act out against you.
Many concerns run through a parent’s mind before allowing their teen to attend a concert. The location is a top safety priority. Many concerts take place in cities, so your teenager should be mature and responsible enough to use common sense in any unwanted situations. The friends going with your teenager should also be considered. If they are not responsible and mature individuals, think carefully before allowing your teen to go with them. Finally, know when the concert starts and when it will end.
Talk to other parents to see if they are allowing their child to go. If absolutely necessary, consider attending the concert as a chaperone, sitting far away from your teens, of course. Understand, though, that even if you offer to sit far away from your teen, they are unlikely to be happy with the idea of you coming along. If chaperoning is not an option, determine pick up and drop off times so that the teenagers are not left hanging on the street while waiting for a ride.
Understand that depending on the concert and the venue, there could be drugs or alcohol present. This doesn’t mean that your teen is going to the concert to drink or to use drugs, of course, as the vast majority of concertgoers remain completely sober during the show, but it’s still something to keep mind. Communicate with your teenager about the dangers of these behaviors.
If you decide not to allow your teen to attend the concert, understand that denying their request will probably be difficult. Saying “no” to your teenager is not the easiest task. They may act out or ignore you for your decision, but communicate with your teenager to show them that your reasoning is reliable and that you are not doing it just to punish them or to make them unhappy. Remind them that there is “always a next time.”