This really raises some serious issues ... the cops are inundated with calls from parents in Sunshine's position .. you expect more sympathy from them, but in reality it's the kids (collectively) acting irresponsibly that causes their attitude. How do you know when it's serious or just a kid acting irresponsibly. And the parents hosting the party are in for some deep doo-doo now. Probably out of town for the holiday weekend. THEN the kids blame their parents for over-reacting! We should all be born at around 35 years of age!
The Lord did it right (always, but maybe for this reason). I know that when mine were babies, I sure melted and loved every minute of the cooing and the way their little soft heads smelled after waking up. How I miss that period and hold dearly to those memories. I think as a parent you will always remember that so that you will always stop short of snuffing them out when they're teenagers. Lol. :)
I was the best kid my parents ever had until I hit my later teens. OUCH, I can't even think about it now, and it's 32 years later. At least I went on to become a great daughter once again.
I'm pretty sure teens brains disappear or something, and then grow back more normal again.
Duh...I got away from my initial thought and reason for posting to you.
I wonder how many police departments have a sheet or a list readily available to empower frantic parents? Even if a missing person doesn't yet "meet criteria" for investigation or an alert, at least giving suggestions for things to try would be helpful. Instead of the police saying to me to wait another day and call us back if need be, maybe they could add to that by saying, "but hey...wait a minute...have you tried this yet?" I'd bet we could easily come up with a list of at least 30 things, people, places to try for help. When a person is so fightened like Sunshine, she benefits from all of our suggestions, right? And knowing the FReepers are such an awesome resource that so many in the world do not have, have yet to find, etc., the police would be an obvious place where a list of suggestions could be given. Even posted online?
Just sharing an idea. :)
Those parents felt that most kids would be out drinking and driving anyhow so they reasoned that it would be better if the kids were drinking in their own home rather than out and about.
The parents then hosted parties with booze in their homes, "knowing" their own kids were "safe" at home and not out drinking and driving.
Then and now I felt that it was the ultimate affront to parents who prohibited drinking for their own teenagers.