My parents were "cool" throughout my whole teenage life because they were so open and willing to listen - I never felt the need to pull away from them. When I was 17 (legal drinking age in my country is 18) my drink was spiked (I know this because I had one drink and lost feeling in my legs) at an open house party. My friends apparently started discussing ways to contact friends etc. to get me home to someone's house safely because everyone was drinking (they assumed that calling parents was not an option). I apparently then said to call my parents and ask them to come fetch me. This was in my completely out of it and incohesive state. I don't remember doing that. My dad came to pick me up, brought me home, both parents checked up on me throughout the night, gave me a cold flannel, water, etc. and instead of getting cross with me the next day; they sat me down and had a chat with me, asked me whether I had had a few too many or if I perhaps had been spiked as my friends had said, then told me to call immediately if I ever didn't feel right in future and to be more aware. I also remember my dad saying that even though I was spiked that time, being drunk could make me feel just as out of control too. They knew that it was inevitable that with all of the teenagers drinking at parties, there was a good chance I would too. From then on, my parents were always the first people I would call if I wanted to go home, or was feeling tipsy in my older teen years, or if I didn't feel comfortable somewhere. But no matter what, I didnt ever get blackout drunk and never have, and I also didnt drink at the next few parties I went to after that incident. My parents, being so open, didn't encourage me to rebel or go overboard through being open. Because I could be so open, I was sensible throughout my teen years and I think the most I did drink when I was in my teens was at the barbecue at my house for my 18th (the legal drinking age.) My mindset about it all was because they gave me the guidance I needed if I spoke to them about things, without me feeling like I was being "told" to be that way. I never felt any need to hide anything. That incident (it was around the time when my friends and I first started doing the standard 'rebellious' teen things like drinking etc.) created an open relationship, which meant that I told them everything I felt necessary, and also knew I always had someone to come get me. I'm not sure how they struck the perfect balance - because their approach never encouraged me to drink etc. But either way, I'm grateful for it looking back.

Not sure how that post ended up that long. But anyway.