Do you allow your kids' underage friends to drink at your house?

[LisaR]

Why does my daily life have to be to the same standards as a big party? Yes, I have a child, and I have alcohol in my house. Does that mean that if I invite a bunch of 17 and 18 yr olds to my house, knowing that they might bring other 17 and 18 and 19 and 20 yr olds that I don't know, that I'm going to leave a cooler of beer in the vicinity and not pay really close attention to it? No, it does not. It doesn't mean I live in fear. It means I take reasonable precautions. And you know what else? I might leave a $20 bill sitting on the coffee table at home, but I'm not going to do that if I'm having a party with people I don't know (or barely know) coming and going. Oh my gawd, I'm paranoid!!!!!!

ETA... the OP was concerned with the legal ramifications. It's naive or ignorant to pretend there are none.

But that is what I am getting at. I don't dispute that I take different precautions with a party than I would with day to day living. Like you, I wouldn't leave the $20 on the table during a party but I wouldn't think to move it if my kids were having some friends over.

However, you are the one that posted about being responsible for any kid in your house drinking even if you did not serve them. My point is that you really are taking a chance by having teens and alcohol in your house period. You aren't taking an inventory of your alcohol before a group of kids come over. You aren't standing guard over your refrigerator when kids drop by. Therefore, you are taking chances.

When we have a party, I think the teens are under far more supervision than they are if they are just over hanging out as a group where I could be in my bedroom, reading a book, on the computer, etc. and not paying as much attention as I would be at a BBQ. At our BBQ's, I have other responsible adults that are there to help keep watchful eyes. Nobody is drinking to a point of drunkenness so they can keep watch of what is happening. Precautions are taken like the OP'er is taking. We don't use plastic cups. They drink out of pop cans, water bottles, or beer bottles and wine glasses. Could something happen? Absolutely. But I honestly don't think the chances are worse than a group of teens hanging at my house when I am not standing guard at my refrigerator.