Be a "real" not "cool" parent

Your editorial titled "Parents can't afford this mistake" (Nov. 17) brought up a very troubling issue that has been emerging more and more recently. It touched on a parent who let his daughter have a party of 60-70 kids, and did not check kids at the door, or go downstairs frequently, in order to "respect his daughter's privacy." This happens way too often these days. Parents are too concerned with being their child's friend rather than their parent, and will let kids party at their house and will not check them for alcohol or drugs. This parent was lucky nothing drastic happened, such as a drunk-driving accident, which happens often in these circumstances. Parents need to stop trying to be the "cool" parent, and go back to being real parents, and teaching their kids good lessons and being the safe, responsible adults they are supposed to be.

Connor McDougal

Glen Ellyn