I live in England where the rules are slightly different, as you can imagine. I don't bother about abstinence, I'm afraid drinking is a fact of life for college kids. My two teenage sons have been encouraged to look after any of their friends who is ill, find an adult, stay with them until they are safe and never, ever leave anyone who looks as though they might be worse for wear, drugs or drink. Having been at the side of several of their friends during the embarrassing scenes that have followed, neither of them drink at all now. Devious but effective.

I'm so glad that Derek is OK, and that he has a mom who is concerned but not judgemental. I lived through my fair share of awful mistakes in my teens and early 20's, but if I had to do it all over again, I'd not make the same ones. Tell him that we like his mom and we like when she's happy, which means no more trips to the ER in the middle of the night for him!

I go to a big party school KU and while I never go to parties or drink in public (I stay home so I don't have to drive/embaress myself/get ditched/etc.) I know that it happens way more often than it should. Last weekend a fraternity party on campus was broken up by the police. THey had over 16 kegs and multiple alcohol violations (which I'm sure included underage drinking and providing alcohol to minors). They were also in violation of moany university alcohol policies. The worst part is that the police got lucky this time. I'm sure that the same kind of party is happening all over campus every weekend. Good for you for spreading the word :)

I think that people delude themselves when they hear that drinking is rampant on college campuses. My daughter is a sophomore this year and was so surprised last year at the partying that goes on. We have a very open relationship and I am pretty sure of how much she does and how responsibly she acts. (Read: I take what she says, compare it with myself at the same age and make a judgement on what is REALLY going on). Even at almost twenty I remind her of not only the big dangers but of the ones that you don't think of. The decisions you make after even one or two drinks may not be the same ones you would make if totally sober. Whether it is *going farther* that you want to with that cute guy that you sort of know, but not really, or the *everyone else is doing it* mentality that you really don't have when sober. The list is long. Bottom line is, we can give them the information, but some of the lessons have to learned, and we can only pray every day that they learn them and live at the end of the lesson. It has always seemed like Derek is a good kid. Chalk it up to lesson learned and pray it doesn't happen again. But-don't you just wish he still lived at home during this so you could make his life a living hell?

I know you don't neeed another horrible story (esp. from me!), but your soap box reminded me of it.

A guy I went to HS with, went to a party one night, and played several drinking games. He ended up very drunk, and then tried to do a flaming shot of Everclear or something equally horrible. As drunk as he was, though, he messed up, and lit his hair on fire and burned a huge chunk of his face, not just a little, but a LOT. The best part of it all, was that his "friends" wouldn't do anything intelligent like call an ambulence or get someone sober to take him to the hospital. They didn't want to get in trouble, so they ditched the party as soon as they ascertained it wasn't a life or death situation any longer. With friends like that...

And people wonder why I don't drink much ;)

That's the last horrible story you'll hear from me, I promise!

You know, I fly all the time and am not nervous for myself, but if my kid was up in the air, you bet your patoot that I'd be online following the status just like you did! How do you like the Knit Picks yarn? I am ordering some this week. I envy you your snow. Thanks for the "talk to the kids" talk. My oldest is 13 and you've prodded me well.

Thanks for getting up on your soapbox, Sandy! This is SO important for everyone to know. And I will echo you in saying that the kid who gets into trouble by drinking too much will be abandoned by his/her companions. They will not want to be involved. Prom season will be upon us, and that is a notorious time for kids to drink.

Oh you poor Mom, I hope all is better. Maybe he was allowed to learn his lesson without harsher consequences. Prayers for Bethany while she is away are being said. She will love her time spent in Germany, but will love coming home too.

Thank you for sharing your son's story. I am so glad that he is okay. Hopefully this will be a wake up call for him and you will never have to receive another phone call like this one.
When my daughter was learning to walk I wanted to put a helmet on her for protection. Now that she is a 15yo I want to lock her in the house. I didn't to either one, but instead I showed her your post and the Sam Spady link. Thank you!

I am so glad that you talk to you son. I have a 15yo and we talk about drinking and drugs often. It is soooo important that our sons feel they can talk to us. I think you are an awesome mom since he is open with you.

BTW, socks are beautiful. I was wondering about what to do with some of the Mountain colors I had picked up. You have inspired me :)_

I'm speechless with worry and hope that our boys will all come through all this crap relatively unscathed.

Love love love that Mountain Colors colorway, hon. Big hugs. xxooxxoo

Oy. Scary and way too common :(
Sometimes I think back to my first year away at university and wonder how I survived. I did some really stupid and dangerous things.
I'm glad Derek is ok.

You know, mine are only 8 and 5, and I *KNOW* that they are going to go through the same things that you are going through - and it scares the heebee jeebees outa me! Oh, my prayers are with you and Derrick as you guys go through this!

I hope Derek is feeling better today. He is very lucky to have a mom like you! Scary experience - hopefully he will learn from it!