My 14-year-old son has just told me that one his friends’ parents have organised a farewell party for his son who will be leaving to study in Europe. He has been invited together with some other friends. What should I do to ensure that I do not regret letting him attend the party? Clementine, Gisozi.Dear Clementine,Thank you for raising your concern at this timely moment when children are breaking off for the long end of year holiday. Looking at your son’s age, it is obvious that he is at that stage of adolescence. He is curious and dying to experiment on different things so as to prove he is now a grown man. So you have to be vigilant to ensure that he does not end up in regrettable situations. Now if he wants to attend a friend’s party that should not be a big problem. You can say yes, but with strict conditions. For example, you should sit and agree on what time he should be back from the party. If he says it is at his friend’s place then you should ask him to get you a telephone contact so that if he is delaying to return you can call and find out if everything is okay. Even before all that, you should be able to call the friend’s parent before he can leave just to confirm that indeed there is a party organised and that is where he will be and not anywhere else. Obviously he should also be cautioned on the dangers of indulging in alcohol or even sex. If he faults any of the agreements then he should be punished.